Hepatotoxicity prevention in Acetaminophen-induced HepG2 cells by red betel (Piper crocatum Ruiz and Pav) extract from Indonesia via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-necrotic

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Testing of Golden Rice Cookies With Piper Crocatum Active Extract for Preventing Foot Ulcers in Patients With Diabetes: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) present a formidable challenge to both patients and health care systems. DFUs significantly reduce the quality of life for patients, prolong hospital stays, and are the cause of approximately 70,000 lower limb amputations across the globe annually. Prevention of DFUs primarily involves the optimization of blood sugar levels and the effective management of complications, particularly peripheral neuropathy. Golden Rice has been proven to lower blood sugar levels due to its beta-carotene content, and Piper crocatum (P. crocatum) has been found to be effective in reducing the risk factors of DFUs through biomolecular regulation because of its polyphenol content.

OBJECTIVE

The principal objective of this study is to identify the efficacy of P. crocatum-enriched cookies, with Golden Rice as their primary ingredient, in preventing DFUs. The evaluation will center on their impact on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a pivotal factor in the development of DFUs.

METHODS

This study is an experimental clinical research that follows the randomized controlled trial method and uses a single-blind design. The participants in the study are outpatients from primary health centers in Makassar, Indonesia, who have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The sample for the study will be randomly selected and subsequently categorized into 2 groups: the intervention group and the control group. The intervention group consumes P. crocatum-enriched Golden Rice cookies, while the control group receives cookies without these additives. The participants from both groups will consume their respective cookies (packaged identically) twice a day for 14 days. The cookies will be prepared according to a modified recipe with an emphasis on low glucose content, resulting in 51 calories per cookie, comprising 1% carbohydrates, 6% fat, 4% cholesterol, and 4% fiber, excluding gluten, sugar, and salt. They will be baked at 158°C for 20 minutes. The process involves the addition of 20% Golden Rice and 10% P. crocatum ethanol extract, both prepared via maceration with 96% ethanol. The dependent variable in this study is the expression of gelatinases matrix metalloproteinase, to be assessed at 2 distinct time points-preintervention (pretest) and postintervention (posttest)-with the evaluation conducted through the western blotting method.

RESULTS

The recruitment and testing phase started in January 2024. The study is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2024. Data analysis will commence in April 2024, and the publication of the results is anticipated in the same year (2024). The study will report on the changes in primary data, encompassing gelatinases matrix metalloproteinase, as well as secondary data, including the ankle-brachial index, neuropathy score, and random blood glucose level.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this trial are expected to significantly impact the selection of strategies by health care practitioners to enhance diabetes self-management, particularly in the domain of therapeutic snacking, for patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Thai Clinical Trials Registry TCTR20230502001; https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20230502001.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/49940.

Karanjin, A Promising Bioactive Compound Possessing Anti-cancer Activity against Experimental Model of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

AIMS

The aim of this study is to isolate the Millettia pinnata (Karanj) leaf extract for pure compound with anticancer properties and to study the molecular target of the isolates in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines.

BACKGROUND

In our earlier research Millettia pinnata leaf extract has demonstrated potential anticancer activities. Thus, in pursuit of the bioactive compounds, the most potential active extract from our previous study was purified. Furthermore, the anticancer properties of the isolated compound karanjin was studied and aimed for apoptosis and restraining growth.

METHODS

A novel method was developed through column chromatography for isolation and purification of the compound karanjin from leaf chloroform extract. The purified component was then characterised using FTIR, mass spectrometry, and NMR. An MTT-based cytotoxicity assay was used to analyse cell cytotoxicity, whereas fluorescence staining was used for apoptosis and reactive oxygen species inhibition quantification. Furthermore, the real-time PCR assay was used to determine the molecular mechanism of action in cells causing cytotoxicity induced by karanjin dosing.

RESULTS

The anticancer activity of karanjin in A549 cell line exhibited prominent activity revealing IC50 value of 4.85 μM. Conferring the predicted molecular pathway study, karanjin restrains the proliferation of cancer cells through apoptosis, which is controlled by extrinsic pathway proteins FAS/FADD/Caspases 8/3/9. Downregulation of KRAS and dependent gene expression also stopped cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

Karanjin has been identified as a compound with potential effect in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Molecular mechanism for apoptosis and inhibition of reactive oxygen species induced through H2O2 were observed, concluding karanjin have medicinal and antioxidant properties.

Protective effect of hot-water and ethanol-aqueous extracts from Anneslea fragrans against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice

Anneslea fragrans Wall. (AF) is an important medicinal and edible plant in China. The principal objectives of this study are to explore the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol-aqueous (AFE) and hot-water (AFW) extracts in vitro and in vivo. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis showed that AFW and AFE are rich in dihydrochalcones. Both AFW and AFE significantly up-regulated the expressions of SOD, CAT and GSH, reduced the MDA content in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced HepG2 cells, and suppressed the expressions of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW246.7 cells. In APAP-induced mice, AFW and AFE administration significantly decreased the plasma levels of AST and ALT, and improved liver tissue damage, the collagen deposition and fibrosis formation. Moreover, AFW and AFE decreased the MDA and ROS accumulations via activating Nrf2 pathway to increase the hepatic GSH contents and activities of SOD, CAT, HO-1, and NQO-1, reduced the levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 by suppressing the JNK/p38/ERK/NF-κB pathways, and alleviated apoptosis via regulating Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3/9 protein expressions. This study provides a new sight that AFW and AFE may have a potential natural resource for the treatment of liver injury.

UHPLC-QTOF-MS Metabolic Profiling of Marchantia polymorpha and Evaluation of Its Hepatoprotective Activity Using Paracetamol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Marchantia species were traditionally used to treat liver failure. Marchantia polymorpha chloroform extract showed a marked hepatoprotective activity in a dose-dependent manner in paracetamol-induced extensive liver damage in mice. At a dose of 500 mg/kg (MP-500), it resulted in a reduction in aspartate transaminase by 49.44%, alanine transaminase by 44.11%, and alkaline phosphatase by 24.4% with significant elevation in total proteins by 58.69% with respect to the diseased group. It showed significant reductions in total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL, total lipids, and to high density lipoprotein ratio (CH/HDL) by 53.42, 30.14, 35.02, 45.79, 34.74, 41.45, and 49.52%, respectively, together with a 37.69% increase in HDL with respect to the diseased group. It also showed an elevation of superoxide dismutase by 28.09% and in glutathione peroxidase by 81.83% in addition to the reduction of lipid peroxidation by 17.95% as compared to the paracetamol only treated group. This was further supported by histopathological examination that showed normal liver architecture and a normal sinusoidal gap. Metabolic profiling by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-QTOF/MS) led to the tentative identification of 28 compounds belonging to phenols, quinolones, phenylpropanoid, acylaminosugars, terpenoids, lipids, and fatty acids to which the activity was attributed. Four compounds were detected in the negative ionization mode which are neoacrimarine J, marchantin A, chitobiose, and phellodensin F, while the rest were detected in the positive mode. Thus, it can be concluded that this plant could serve as a valuable choice for the treatment of hepatotoxicity that further consolidated its traditional use.

Hepatic, Extrahepatic and Extracellular Vesicle Cytochrome P450 2E1 in Alcohol and Acetaminophen-Mediated Adverse Interactions and Potential Treatment Options

Alcohol and several therapeutic drugs, including acetaminophen, are metabolized by cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) into toxic compounds. At low levels, these compounds are not detrimental, but higher sustained levels of these compounds can lead to life-long problems such as cytotoxicity, organ damage, and cancer. Furthermore, CYP2E1 can facilitate or enhance the effects of alcohol-drug and drug-drug interactions. In this review, we discuss the role of CYP2E1 in the metabolism of alcohol and drugs (with emphasis on acetaminophen), mediating injury/toxicities, and drug-drug/alcohol-drug interactions. Next, we discuss various compounds and various nutraceuticals that can reduce or prevent alcohol/drug-induced toxicity. Additionally, we highlight experimental outcomes of alcohol/drug-induced toxicity and potential treatment strategies. Finally, we cover the role and implications of extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing CYP2E1 in hepatic and extrahepatic cells and provide perspectives on the clinical relevance of EVs containing CYP2E1 in intracellular and intercellular communications leading to drug-drug and alcohol-drug interactions. Furthermore, we provide our perspectives on CYP2E1 as a druggable target using nutraceuticals and the use of EVs for targeted drug delivery in extrahepatic and hepatic cells, especially to treat cellular toxicity.

Effects of Non-Opioid Analgesics on the Cell Membrane of Skin and Gastrointestinal Cancers

Skin and gastrointestinal cancer cells are the target of research by many scientists due to the increasing morbidity and mortality rates around the world. New indications for drugs used in various conditions are being discovered. Non-opioid analgesics are worth noting as very popular, widely available, relatively cheap medications. They also have the ability to modulate the membrane components of tumor cells. The aim of this review is to analyze the impact of diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol on skin and gastrointestinal cancers cell membrane. These drugs may affect the membrane through topical application, at the in vitro and in vivo level after oral or parenteral administration. They can lead to up- or downregulated expression of receptors, transporters and other molecules associated with plasma membrane. Medications may also alter the lipid bilayer composition of membrane, resulting in changes in its integrity and fluidity. Described modulations can cause the visualization of cancer cells, enhanced response of the immune system and the initiation of cell death. The outcome of this is inhibition of progression or reduction of tumor mass and supports chemotherapy. In conclusion, non-opioid analgesics may be used in the future as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of these cancers.