Tinospora cordifolia extract prevents cadmium-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in experimental rats

Protective effects of Tinospora cordifolia miers extract against hepatic and neurobehavioral deficits in thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rats via modulating hyperammonemia and glial cell activation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tinospora cordifolia (TC) a potential medicinal herb, has been ethnobotanically used as an eco-friendly supplement to manage various diseases, including cerebral fever. Earlier studies have shown that TC exhibits diverse beneficial effects, including hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects. However, the effects of TC remain unexplored in animal models of encephalopathy including hepatic encephalopathy (HE).

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the effects of TC stem extract against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced behavioural and molecular alterations in HE rats.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The extract was preliminarily screened through phytochemical and HR-LC/MS analysis. Animals were pre-treated with TC extract at doses 30 and 100 mg/kg, orally. Following 7 days of TC pre-treatment, HE was induced by administering TAA (300 mg/kg, i. p. thrice). Behavioural assessments were performed after 56 h of TAA first dose. The animals were then sacrificed to assess biochemical parameters in serum, liver and brain. Liver tissue was used for immunoblotting and histological studies to evaluate inflammatory and fibrotic signalling. Moreover, brain tissue was used to evaluate brain edema, activation of glial cells (GFAP, IBA-1) and NF-κB/NLRP3 downstream signalling via immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analysis in cortex and hippocampus.

RESULTS

The pre-treatment with TC extract effective mitigated TAA-induced behavioural alterations, lowered serum LFT (AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin) and oxidative stress markers in liver and brain. TC treatment significantly modulated hyperammonemia, cerebral edema and preserved the integrity of BBB proteins in HE animals. TC treatment attenuated TAA-induced histological changes, tissue inflammation (pNF-κB (p65), TNF-α, NLRP3) and fibrosis (collagen, α-SMA) in liver. In addition, immunoblotting analysis revealed TC pre-treatment inhibited fibrotic proteins such as vimentin, TGF-β1 and pSmad2/3 in the liver. Our study further showed that TC treatment downregulated the expression of MAPK/NF-κB inflammatory signalling, as well as GFAP and IBA-1 (glial cell markers) in cortex and hippocampus of TAA-intoxicated rats. Additionally, TC-treated animals exhibited reduced expression of caspase3/9 and BAX induced by TAA.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed promising insights on the protective effects of TC against HE. The findings clearly demonstrated that the significant inhibition of MAPK/NF-κB signalling and glial cell activation could be responsible for the observed beneficial effects of TC in TAA-induced HE rats.

Activation of Nrf-2 Transcription Factor and Caspase Pathway with Royal Jelly Reduces Fluoride Induced Testicular Damage and Infertility in Rats

This study was carried out to investigate the protective properties of royal jelly on the testicular tissue of rats with testicular damage by giving fluoride. Sperm motility, epididymal sperm density and abnormal sperm ratios were examined and visualized with a light microscope. Expression levels of Caspase-3, Bcl-2, Nrf-2, NF-κB, COX-2, TNF-α and IL1-α proteins in testis tissue were determined by western blot technique. As a result of the study, MDA level, expression level of Bcl-2, NFҡB, COX-2, TNF-α and IL1-α proteins, abnormal sperm rates were found higher in Fluoride-50 and Fluoride100 groups compared to other groups. In addition GSH, Catalase enzyme levels, expression levels of Caspase-3 and Nrf-2 proteins were found to be higher in Fluoride + Royal Jelly groups compared to Fluoride-50 and Fluoride-100 groups. In addition, lower degeneration of testicular tissue was found in the histological evaluation in the Fluoride + Royal Jelly groups compared to the other groups. When the data are evaluated royal jelly provides effective protection against testicular damage. From this point of view, we hope that similar results will be obtained when royal jelly is tested on humans.

Hematotoxicity Induced by Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and the Attenuating Role of Giloy In Vivo

Background In line with the growing industrial applications of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) in various fields, concerns about their potentially harmful consequences on the environment, human, and animal health are increasing. Giloy is considered an alternative medicine to treat various ailments. Giloy's potential in helping manage diabetes, alleviating arthritis and joint pain, and addressing skin disorders such as eczema and acne underscores its multifaceted role in traditional medicine. Moreover, it is deemed beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety levels, promoting liver health, and potentially impacting heart health by regulating cholesterol levels. Emerging research also explores its potential in cancer prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the hematotoxicity of CuONPs and the alleviating effect of giloy in adult rats. Materials and methods In this experiment, 28 laboratory rats were used, set to four groups (7/group), as follows: control group without any dose; CuONPs group administered copper oxide nanoparticles at 300 mg/kg/day; CuONPs + giloy group dosed with CuONPs at 300 mg/kg/day plus giloy at 100 mg/kg/day; giloy group treated only with giloy at 100 mg/kg/day. All treatments were given by gastric gavage and continued for 28 uninterrupted days. Results Dosing animals with CuONPs led to significant adverse changes in the examined blood profile. In contrast, when the animals were coadministered with giloy, restoring the disturbed blood levels was observed. Conclusion Copper oxide nanoparticles at a high dose had notable hematotoxicity in laboratory rats and, supplemented with giloy, could reduce this hematological toxicity.

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers: Protection mechanisms and strategies against oxidative stress-related diseases

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers (Menispermaceae) is a Mediterranean herb, used in Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, and folk medicines. The herb is also used in conventional medicine to treat oxidative stress-related diseases and conditions, including inflammation, pain, diarrhea, asthma, respiratory infections, cancer, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The taxonomy, botanical classification, geographical distribution, and ethnobotanical uses of T. cordifolia, as well as the phytochemical compounds found in the herb, the toxicology of and pharmacological and clinical studies on the effects of T. cordifolia are all covered in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To gather information on T. cordifolia, we used a variety of scientific databases, including Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The information discussed focuses on biologically active compounds found in T. cordifolia, and common applications and pharmacological activity of the herb, as well as toxicological and clinical studies on its properties.

RESULTS

The findings of this study reveal a connection between the use of T. cordifolia in conventional medicine and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and other biological effects. The entire plant, stem, leaves, root, and extracts of T. cordifolia have been shown to have a variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective impact. Toxicological testing demonstrated that this plant may have medicinal applications. T. cordifolia contains a variety of biologically active compounds from various chemical classes, including alkaloids, terpenoids, sitosterols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Based on the reports researched for this review, we believe that chemicals in T. cordifolia may activate Nrf2, which leads to the overexpression of antioxidant enzymes such as CAT, GPx, GST, and GR, and thereby induces the adaptive response to oxidative stress. T. cordifolia is also able to reduce NF-κB signalling by inhibiting PI3K/Akt, activating AMPK and sirtuins, and downregulating PI3K/Akt.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that the pharmacological properties displayed by T. cordifolia back up its conventional uses. Antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective activities were all demonstrated in T. cordifolia stem extracts. To validate pharmacodynamic targets, further research is needed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of the known compounds against gastrointestinal diseases, inflammatory processes, and microbial infections, as immunostimulants, and in chemotherapy. The T. cordifolia safety profile was confirmed in a toxicological analysis, which prompted pharmacokinetic assessment testing to confirm its bioavailability.

Modulatory effects of carvacrol against cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity by molecular targeting regulation

AIM

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that causes severe toxic effects on different tissues including liver and kidney. Therefore the research for alternatives to reduce the damage caused by Cd has substantial importance. This study was performed to examine the possible modulatory effects of carvacrol (CRV) against Cd-induced hepatorenal toxicities and the possible mechanisms underlying these effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. The rats were treated with Cd (25 mg/kg) and treated with CRV (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days.

KEY FINDINGS

CRV could modulate Cd-induced elevations of ALT, ALP, AST, urea, creatinine, MDA and enhance antioxidant enzymes' activities such as SOD, CAT, and GPx, and GSH's level. CRV also reversed the changes in levels of inflammatory biomarker and apoptotic genes that include NF-κB, Bcl-3, MAPK-14, iNOS, COX-2, MPO, PGE2, Bax, Bcl-2, P53, Caspase-9, Caspase-6 and Caspase-3 in both tissues. The levels of 8-OHdG in the Cd-induced liver and kidney tissues were modulated after CRV treatment. Furthermore, CRV treatment considerably lowered Cd, Na, Fe, and Zn content while increased K, Ca, Mg and Cu contents in both tissues as compared to the Cd-exposed rats.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results of the present study revealed that CRV supplementation could be a promising strategy to protect the liver and kidney tissues against Cd-induced oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis.

Molecular mechanism of heavy metals (Lead, Chromium, Arsenic, Mercury, Nickel and Cadmium) - induced hepatotoxicity - A review

Heavy metals pose a serious threat if they go beyond permissible limits in our bodies. Much heavy metal's viz. Lead, Chromium, Arsenic, Mercury, Nickel, and Cadmium pose a serious threat when they go beyond permissible limits and cause hepatotoxicity. They cause the generation of ROS which in turn causes numerous injuries and undesirable changes in the liver. Epidemiological studies have shown an increase in the levels of such heavy metals in the environment posing a serious threat to human health. Epigenetic alterations have been seen in the event of exposure to such heavy metals. Apoptosis, caspase activation as well as ultrastructural changes in the hepatocytes have also been seen due to heavy metals. Inflammation involving TNF-alpha, pro-inflammatory cytokines, MAPK, ERK pathways have been seen in the event of heavy metal hepatotoxicity. All these have shown that these heavy metals pose a serious threat to human health in particular and the environment as a whole.

Intervention of Ayurvedic drug Tinospora cordifolia attenuates the metabolic alterations in hypertriglyceridemia: a pilot clinical trial

Purpose

Hypertriglyceridemia (HG) is an independent risk factor with more prevalence than hypercholesterolemia and its attributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and pancreatitis. Hence, it becomes imperative to search for new triglyceride (TG) lowering agents. Tinospora cordifolia (TC) is a well-known Ayurvedic drug and a rich source of protoberberine alkaloids hence can contribute to TG lowering without side effects. Hence, to explore the therapeutic efficacy of T. cordifolia and its effects on biochemistry and metabolome in the patients of hyper-triglyceridemia, clinical trials were conducted.

Methods

Patients (n = 24) with hypertriglyceridemia were randomized into two groups to receive T. cordifolia extract (TCE) (3.0 g/per day) and metformin (850 mg/day) for 14 days having >300 mg/dl triglyceride level and cholesterol in the range of 130-230 mg/dl. Lipid profiles of blood samples were analyzed. Urine samples were subjected to HPLC-QTOF-MS to quantify oxidative damage and abnormal metabolic regulation.

Results

Intervention with TCE reduced the triglyceride, LDL, and VLDL levels to 380.45 ± 17.44, 133.25 ± 3.18, and 31.85 ± 5.88 mg/dL and increased the HDL to 47.50 ± 9.05 mg/dL significantly (p < 0.05) in the HG patients after 14 days treatment. TCE dosage potently suppressed the inflammatory and oxidative stress marker's i.e. levels of isoprostanes significantly (p < 0.01). Qualitative metabolomics approach i.e. PCA and PLS-DA showed significant alterations (p < 0.05) in the levels of 40 metabolites in the urine samples from different groups.

Conclusion

TCE administration depleted the levels of markers of HG i.e. VLDL, TG, and LDL significantly. Metabolomics studies established that the anti-HG activity of TCE was due to its antioxidative potential and modulation of the biopterin, butanoate, amino acid, and vitamin metabolism.

Clinical trials registry

India (CTRI) registration no. CTRI- 2016-08-007187.

Tinospora cordifolia ameliorates brain functions impairments associated with high fat diet induced obesity

Obesity is a rapidly growing health problem worldwide and its prevalence has increased markedly in both the developing and developed nations. It is associated with a range of co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cognitive dysfunctions. Therefore, the need for a safe and effective treatment has led to the exploration of natural products for the management of obesity. In the present study, we tested the anxiolytic, anti-apoptotic, and anti-neuroinflammatory potential of Tinospora cordifolia in a high fat diet-induced obesity rat model system. Young female Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: (1) Low fat diet (LFD), fed on normal chow feed; (2) High fat diet (HFD), fed on diet containing 30% fat by weight; and (3) High fat diet containing extract (HFDE), fed on high fat diet supplemented with the stem powder of T. cordifolia (TCP). The rats from each group were kept on their respective feeding regimen for 12 weeks. The body weight and calorie intake were recorded weekly. The elevated plus maze test and rotarod performance test were performed to evaluate the anxiety-like behavior and locomotor coordination, respectively. The levels of serum cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) were estimated and various markers for inflammation, synaptic plasticity, apoptosis, and energy homeostasis were studied by western blotting. The HFDE rats showed reduced anxiety-like behavior and improved locomotor behavior as compared to HFD-induced obese rats. The TCP supplementation in high fat diet suppressed the expression of inflammatory molecules, including serum cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), and modulated apoptosis and synaptic plasticity. TCP was found to be effective in managing body weight in HFD-fed rats by maintaining energy metabolism and cellular homeostasis. T. cordifolia may be recommended as a potential therapeutic agent to prevent the adverse effects of obesity and obesity-associated brain dysfunctions.

Protective Effects of Anethum graveolens Seed's Oil Nanoemulsion Against Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

The cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that induces oxidative stress in both humans and animals. The plant phenolic compounds are capable of alleviating the toxicity of heavy metals. The encapsulation of plant bioactive compounds using nanoemulsion technology could enhance their bioefficacy. In this study, the protective effects of Anethum graveolens seed's oil nanoemulsion (AGN) against cadmium-induced oxidative stress in mice were studied. The results showed that the major bioactive compounds of essential oil were carvone and limonene. The result of particle size analysis revealed the pseudo-spherical droplets with nanometer size (148.8 ± 9.48 nm), homogenous dispersion, and physical colloidal stability. The Cd intoxication in mice (5 mg/kg BW for 30 days) reduced the body weight gain; however, treatment of the mice with different concentration of AGN (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/L, 30 days) through drinking water improved the body weight loss, liver Cd deposition, lipid peroxidation, cellular antioxidant redox potential, and inflammation in the liver, kidney, and brain of the mice challenged by cadmium-induced oxidative stress. The results of the present study revealed that drinking the essential oil of Anethum graveolens nanoemulsion containing carvone and limonene could be a promising strategy to protect the tissues against cadmium-induced oxidative damage.

Co-exposure to non-toxic levels of cadmium and fluoride induces hepatotoxicity in rats via triggering mitochondrial oxidative damage, apoptosis, and NF-kB pathways

Fluoride (F) and cadmium (Cd) are two common water pollutants. There is low information about their co-exposure in low doses. So, in this study, we evaluated the combination effects of non-toxic doses of F and Cd and the possible mechanism of their combined interaction. Male rats were exposed to non-toxic doses of sodium fluoride (30 mg/l) and/or cadmium chloride (40 mg/l) in drinking water for 6 weeks. Then, liver tissues were separated and several factors including oxidative stress, mitochondrial toxicity, inflammation, apoptosis, and biochemical and histopathological changes were evaluated. Cd and F alone did not induce any significant changes in evaluated factors compared to control group, while significant elevation in liver enzymes as well as histopathological changes were observed in rats treated with F+Cd. Also, a remarkable increase in oxidative stress markers including reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonyl and also decreasing glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels were detected following co-exposure to F and Cd. Furthermore, a combination of F and Cd resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction, swelling, as well as a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential in isolated liver mitochondria. On the other hand, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-kB inflammatory genes were upregulated in the liver after combined exposure to F and Cd compared to individual treatments. Also, F+Cd treatment increased the Bax expression but decreased the expression of Bcl-2 significantly. These findings suggest that Cd and F can potentiate their individual toxic effects on the liver tissue through disruption of the cellular redox status, inflammation, and apoptosis pathway.

Plant Extracts and Isolated Compounds Reduce Parameters of Oxidative Stress Induced by Heavy Metals: An up-to-Date Review on Animal Studies

BACKGROUND

Heavy metals are elements that are naturally found in the earth. They are used in many modern-day applications in agriculture, medicine, and industry. Heavy metal poisoning occurs when the body's soft tissues absorb too much of a particular metal. The heavy metals of interest for this review paper were cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead since these are the most common metals that the human body can absorb in toxic amounts. Different plant species were investigated in recent years for their effect on oxidative stress parameters after intoxication with heavy metals.

OBJECTIVES

This review paper is focused on the current update to research on heavy metals induced oxidative stress in animal models and improvement of the oxidative stress parameters upon/co-/after treatment with different plant extracts and isolated compounds.

METHODS

The available literature was screened for the novel data regarding the influence of plant extracts and compounds on heavy metals induced oxidative stress. For that purposes Scopus database was used, looking for the publications in the last 5-10 years with the key terms: plant extracts, oxidative stress, in vivo, cadmium, lead, mercury and arcenic.

RESULTS

Various parameters of oxidative stress were investigated, and their improvement with plant extracts/ compounds was observed in the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, uterus, testis, thymus, spleen, heart, skin and blood of experimental animals. Common parameters used to determine oxidative stress in animals were: superoxide dismutase; catalase; reduced glutathione; glutathione reductase; glutathione-S-transferase; glutathione peroxidase; lipid peroxidation; oxidized glutathione; malondialdehyde; xanthine oxidase; nonprotein-soluble thiol; thioredoxin reductase; total sulphydryl group; nitric oxide; γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase.

CONCLUSION

The most investigated species for antioxidant effects upon intoxication with heavy metals seem to be Allium sp., Bacopa monniera, Camellia sinensis, Moringa oleifera, Vitis vinifera and Zingiber officinale. According to literature data, the most promising effect to alleviate symptoms of intoxication was achieved with proanthocyanidins obtained from Vitis vinifera.