A biochemical and 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining study on the preventive effects of zingerone (vanillyl acetone) in experimentally induced myocardial infarcted rats

Promising influences of zingerone against natural and chemical toxins: A comprehensive and mechanistic review

Zingerone is a flavor phytochemical present in ginger, a flowering plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family used as a condiment and herbal remedy. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties and also exhibits protective effects against radiation, chemicals, biological toxins, and oxidative stress. The current comprehensive literature review was performed in order to assess the therapeutical and protective properties of zingerone against various chemical and natural toxins by considering the mechanisms of action. Extensive searches were performed on Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Zingerone lessens oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative DNA damage by increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). It prevents alginate production, which increases the cell's susceptibility to macrophages, serum, and antibiotics and dramatically lowers the generation of proinflammatory cytokines brought on by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cytokine production, MAPK, and NF-κB activation are all inhibited dose-dependently by zingerone. Zingerone also reduces 8-OHdG over-expression in the liver tissue and the expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-6, COX-2, TNF-α, and iNOS mRNA level), decreases macrophage inflammatory protein cytokines and eliminates free radicals. It also suppresses matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 during tumor progression, showing its anti-angiogenic activity. Strong radioprotective properties of zingerone are demonstrated against radiation-induced toxicity. The authors hope this review gives researchers some insight into conducting novel clinical and preclinical studies on pharmaceutical applications and the efficiency of zingerone in cancer treatment, and drug adverse effects.

Zingerone Inhibits the Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation and Protects against Sepsis via Nrf2-Mediated ROS Inhibition

Neutrophils release chromatin and antimicrobial proteins to trap and kill microbes, which is termed as neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. NETs play a pivotal role in host defense against infection. However, emerging evidence indicated that NETs also contribute to an exaggerated inflammatory response and organic injuries in sepsis. Zingerone, a natural compound extracted from Zingiber officinale, exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antioncogenic properties. In this study, we found that treatment with zingerone reduced organ injury and improved the outcome in a cecal ligation puncture- (CLP-) induced polymicrobial sepsis model. Administration of zingerone also alleviates reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and systematic inflammation in septic mice and inhibits neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, inhibition of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) with its specific antagonist significantly counteracted the suppressive effects of zingerone on ROS and NETs and retarded the protective role of zingerone against sepsis-associated organ injury. In addition, exposure to zingerone does not affect phagocytic activity of neutrophils in vitro and bacterial dissemination in vivo. Above all, our results indicate that zingerone treatment obviously attenuates NET formation and inflammatory response via Nrf2-mediated ROS inhibition, thus providing a novel therapeutic strategy against sepsis-induced injury.

β-Caryophyllene inhibits Fas- receptor and caspase-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway and endothelial dysfunction in experimental myocardial infarction

We planned to appraise the effects of β-caryophyllene on Fas- receptor and caspase-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway and endothelial dysfunction in rats infarcted with isoproterenol. Rats were induced myocardial infarction by using isoproterenol (100 mg/kg body weight [b.w]). Serum creatine kinase-MB, serum cardiac troponin-T, heart weight, heart rate, and heart lipid peroxidation were greatly (p < 0.05) augmented, while heart enzymatic antioxidants and plasma nonenzymatic antioxidants were greatly (p < 0.05) lessened in isoproterenol-treated rats. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction study revealed augmented expressions of Fas-receptor and caspases 8, 9, and 3 genes in myocardial infarcted rats. Furthermore, iNOS protein expression was amplified and eNOS protein was lessened in the myocardial infarcted heart. Three weeks pre- and cotreatment with β-caryophyllene (20 mg/kg b.w) greatly (p < 0.05) protected isoproterenol-treated rats against these altered structural, biochemical, molecular, and immunohistochemical parameters, by its anti-cardiac hypertrophic, anti-tachycardial, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-endothelial dysfunction effects. In conclusion, these findings projected the use of β-caryophyllene for the therapy of human myocardial infarction after clinical trials.

Alpha-terpineol prevents myocardial damage against isoproterenol-MI induced in Wistar-Kyoto rats: New possible to promote cardiovascular integrity

Alpha-terpineol (TPN) is one of the major components of the resin obtained from Protium heptaphyllum. This plant has been utilized as medicine by Brazilian indigenous tribes to treat cardiovascular diseases. Scientific reports have shown that the TPN possesses vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects. This study was conducted to assess the cardioprotective action of TPN against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiotoxicity. Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups. Rats were orally administered with TPN (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg, respectively) for 15 days, and ISO was administered (85 mg/kg, subcutaneously) on the 14th and 15th days. At the end of the experiment, the hemodynamic, baroreflex test, ECG, biochemical, histological, and morphometric changes were monitored from control and experimental groups, i.e., on the 15th day. ISO-induced myocardial infarcted rats showed an increase in mortality rates, cardiac marker enzymes, tachycardia, hypertrophy, myocardium necrosis, edema, hemorrhagic areas, infiltration of inflammatory cells like lymphocytes, and increased myocardial infarct size. However, pretreatment with TPN significantly inhibited these effects of ISO. The histopathological findings obtained for the myocardium further confirmed the biochemical results. Thus, the present study provides evidence for the efficacy of TPN against ISO-induced myocardial infarction in rats.

Cardioprotective effects induced by hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Alpinia zerumbet on myocardial infarction in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

The leaves of Alpinia zerumbet is used in folk medicine in Brazil to treat hypertension. However, the cardioprotective effect of this plant has not been studied yet.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

To evaluate the cardioprotective effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of Alpinia zerumbet (AZE) against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Rats were pretreated orally with AZE (300 mg/kg) for 30 days prior to ISO-induced myocardial infarction. The rats were sacrificed and hearts were collected and homogenized for biochemical analysis. At the end of the experiment, cardiac marker enzyme levels, histological and morphometric parameters, and hemodynamic measurements were assessed. Phytochemical compounds were verified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

RESULTS

Rats administered with ISO showed a significant increase in cardiac marker enzymes, i.e., in creatine kinase-NAC (CK-NAC) and CK-MB. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining exhibited an increase in infarct areas. In the animals treated with ISO induced a significant increase in heart rate. Pretreatment with AZE significantly inhibited these effects of ISO. Moreover, biochemical findings were supported by histopathological observations. The GC-MS analyses of AZE identified volatile oils, kavalactones, and phytosterols.

CONCLUSIONS

Haemodynamic, biochemical alteration and histopathological results suggest a cardioprotective protective effect of oral administration of AZE in isoproterenol induced cardiotoxicity.

Protective effects of zingerone on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in female rats

Zingerone (ZO), one of the active components of ginger (Zingiber officinale), is a phenolic alkanone with antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Cisplatin (CP) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug for solid tumors, but its therapeutic use is limited due to dose-dependent nephrotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the ameliorative effect of ZO against CP-induced nephrotoxicity. Intraperitoneal administration of single-dose CP (7 mg/kg body weight) on the first day enhanced kidney lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH). CP increased serum urea and creatinine levels and disrupted histological integrity while causing a decrease aquaporin 1 (AQP1) level in the kidney tissues. CP induced inflammatory responses by elevating the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-33 (IL-33) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and activities of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Moreover, it also caused oxidative DNA damage and activation of apoptotic pathway by increasing of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), p53, cysteine aspartate-specific protease-3 (caspase-3), and Bcl-2-associated x protein (bax) while decreasing B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). However, treatment with ZO at a dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg b.wt. for 7 days significantly decreased oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and histopathological alterations while increased AQP1 levels in the kidney tissue. The results of the current study suggested that ZO as an effective natural product attenuates CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Zingerone attenuates aortic banding-induced cardiac remodelling via activating the eNOS/Nrf2 pathway

Cardiac remodelling refers to a series of changes in the size, shape, wall thickness and tissue structure of the ventricle because of myocardial injury or increased pressure load. Studies have shown that cardiac remodelling plays a significant role in the development of heart failure. Zingerone, a monomer component extracted from ginger, has been proven to possess various properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antidiabetic properties. As oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to acute and chronic myocardial injury, we explored the role of zingerone in cardiac remodelling. Mice were subjected to aortic banding (AB) or sham surgery and then received intragastric administration of zingerone or saline for 25 days. In vitro, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were treated with zingerone (50 and 250 μmol/L) when challenged with phenylephrine (PE). We observed that zingerone effectively suppressed cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, oxidative stress and inflammation. Mechanistically, Zingerone enhanced the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) activation via increasing the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production. Additionally, we used Nrf2-knockout (KO) and eNOS-KO mice and found that Nrf2 or eNOS deficiency counteracts these cardioprotective effects of zingerone in vivo. Together, we concluded that zingerone may be a potent treatment for cardiac remodelling that suppresses oxidative stress via the eNOS/Nrf2 pathway.

Preventive effects of zingerone on cardiac mitochondrial oxidative stress, calcium ion overload and adenosine triphosphate depletion in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats

Cardiac mitochondrial oxidative stress, calcium ion (Ca²⁺) overload and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion play an important role in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction.