Induction of apoptosis in macrophages by air oxidation of dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol

Bioactive phytochemicals from Salvia officinalis attenuate cadmium-induced oxidative damage and genotoxicity in rats

This study was conducted to identify the bioactive phytochemicals in Salvia officinalis essential oil, to determine the polyphenols in the aqueous extract (SOE), and to evaluate their protective role against cadmium (Cd)-induced oxidative damage and genotoxicity in rats. Six groups of female rats were treated orally for 2 weeks including the control group, CdCl₂-treated group, SOE-treated groups at low or high dose (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w), and CdCl₂ plus SOE-treated groups at the two doses. The GC-MS analysis identified 39 compounds; the main compounds were 9-octadecenamide, eucalyptol, palmitic acid, and oleic acid. However, the HPLC analysis showed 12 polyphenolic compounds and the majority were coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, coffeic acid, catechin, vanillin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and rutin. In the biological study, rats received CdCl₂ displayed severe disturbances in liver and kidney indices alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (Alb), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (T. Bil), direct bilirubin (D. Bil), creatinine, uric acid, and urea, lipid profile, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and CEA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), gene expressions, DNA fragmentation, and histological alterations in the liver and kidney tissue. SOE showed a potent antioxidant and mitigated these alterations in serum and tissue. Moreover, the high dose succeeded to normalize most of the tested parameters and histological features. It could be concluded that S. officinalis is a promising source for bioactive compounds with therapeutic benefits against environmental toxicants.

The molecular and biochemical insight view of lycopene in ameliorating tramadol-induced liver toxicity in a rat model: implication of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and MAPK signaling pathways

The influence of tramadol (TD) on hepatic tissue and the potential efficiency of lycopene to mitigate TD-induced hepatotoxic impacts were determined. Forty male albino rats were allocated into four groups: group I, untreated (placebo); group II, injected with TD (15 mg kg^-1) intraperitoneally (i.p.); group III, gastrogavaged with lycopene (10 mg kg^-1) per os (p.o.); and group IV received TD with lycopene with the same mentioned doses for 15 days. The results demonstrated that TD induced augmentation in tissue lipid peroxidation biomarker and disturbance in the antioxidant homeostasis and elevated the activity of serum liver injury biomarkers and decreased serum protein, globulin, and albumin. Hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), thioredoxin-1 (Txn-1), and catalase (CAT) activities and gene expression were decreased and glutathione content was reduced in the TD-challenged rats, and these effects were alleviated by lycopene. Furthermore, TD induced apoptosis in liver tissues as shown by DNA fragmentation and upregulation of proapoptotic Bax and Casp-3 while lycopene upregulated the antiapoptotic Bcl-2. The results of Western blot showed that lycopene initiated low expression of mitogen activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) protein expression in liver tissues of TD-challenged rats. In addition, lycopene reduced fatty degeneration and necrosis of the liver in TD-challenged group. Our data demonstrate that lycopene appears to be highly efficient in mitigating the hepatotoxic impacts of TD by preventing lipid peroxidation and initiating modifications in the expression and activity of antioxidant pathways. Surprisingly, lycopene fortified liver tissue by inhibiting DNA fragmentation and apoptosis signaling induced by TD. MAPK activation may be dependent from ROS generation; due to lycopene which possessed antioxidant potential did have a substantial effect on MAPK activity.

Role of lncRNAs as prognostic markers of hepatic cancer and potential therapeutic targeting by S-adenosylmethionine via inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathways

Hepatic cancer (HCC) is a well-identified dilemma throughout the world, and hence, the molecular mechanisms and strategy for preventive protection against this malignancy are critical. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is a unique methyl granter in vast reactions, including DNA methylation, and secures the genome against hypomethylation, which is a hallmark of tumors. Consequently, SAM may control the rate of gene expression. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) transcript involved in hepatic tumorigenesis, including additional coding CEBPA (ecCEBPA) and urothelial carcinoma related 1 (UCA1), antioxidant enzymes transcripts, and relevant signaling pathway in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-prompted HCC along with their conceivable targeting by SAM at different stages of HCC in rats. Our outcomes revealed that SAM particularly when given at the starting phase downregulates ecCEBPA and UCA1 gene transcripts and ameliorate histopathological alterations in DEN-initiated HCC. Interestingly, SAM attenuates DEN-induced upregulation of PI3K/Akt protein expression. However, SAM upregulates the antioxidant enzymes mRNA transcripts and effectively diminishing DNA oxidation. The results of a DNA fragmentation assay further support the capacity of SAM to ameliorate DEN-induced hepatic malignancy. These results revealed the role of ecCEBPA and UCA1 in HCC and suggest that these lncRNAs may be helpful as prognostic and analytical biomarkers of HCC. Curiously, SAM readily targets the studied genes via inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which should make SAM an appealing agent for both chemoprevention and treatment of HCC.

Hepatoprotective effect of the solvent extracts of Viola canescens Wall. ex. Roxb. against CCl4 induced toxicity through antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activity

Background

Viola canescens Wall. ex. Roxb. exhibits analgesic, antimalarial and antispasmodic activities. It is used folklorically for the treatment of liver diseases, hypertension, malaria and cancer. The current study investigates phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of solvent extracts of whole plant of Viola canescens.

Methods

Phytochemicals, acute toxicity study and antioxidant activity of Viola canescens methanolic extract (VCME), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), and partially purified EAF (90% EAF and combination of 80% EAF + 20% methanol fraction (EAF + Me) was carried out. Hepatoprotective activity of VCME, EAF (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) and partially purified EAF (50 mg/kg body weight) was investigated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) intoxicated BALB/c mice for 7 days. Membrane stabilization effect was determined by hypotonic solution induced hemolysis while DNA ladder assay was carried out by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Results

Phytochemical screening of VCME showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, tannins and triterpenes. VCME, EAF (at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) and partially purified EAF (90% EAF and EAF + Me) at 50 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced the level of ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and restored the level of serum protein in comparison to CCl₄ treated group. A significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and elevation in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level was observed in extract treated animals as compared to CCl₄ (p < 0.05). The IC₅₀ values in membrane stabilization potential for VCME, EAF and sodium salicylate were 3.7 ± 0.11, 3.4 ± 0.15 and 3.2 ± 0.09 mg/ml, respectively. Similarly, CCl₄ induced degradation of DNA was counteracted by VCME and EAF. The liver biopsy of mice treated with the solvent extracts showed remarkable restoration of normal histological archeitecture.

Conclusions

Viola canescens showed significant hepatoprotective potential due to its antioxidant and membrane stabilization effect.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) root extract regulates the oxidative status and antioxidant gene transcripts in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity

The ability of Cichorium intybus root extract (chicory extract) to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity was evaluated in male rats. The rats were divided into four groups according to treatment: saline (control); chicory extract (100 mg/kg body weight daily, given orally for 2 weeks); CCl4 (1 ml/kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection for 2 consecutive days only); or chicory extract (100 mg/kg body weight daily for 2 weeks) + CCl4 injection on days 16 and 17. The levels of hepatic lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and molecular biomarkers were estimated twenty-four hours after the last CCl4 injection. Pretreatment with chicory extract significantly reduced CCl4-induced elevation of malondialdehyde levels and nearly normalized levels of glutathione and activity of glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase, catalase (CAT), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and arylesterase in the liver. Chicory extract also attenuated CCl4-induced downregulation of hepatic mRNA expression levels of GPx1, CAT and PON1 genes. Results of DNA fragmentation support the ability of chicory extract to ameliorate CCl4-induced liver toxicity. Taken together, our results demonstrate that chicory extract is rich in natural antioxidants and able to attenuate CCl4-induced hepatocellular injury, likely by scavenging reactive free radicals, boosting the endogenous antioxidant defense system, and overexpressing genes encoding antioxidant enzymes.

Laboratory exposure of Oreochromis niloticus to crude microcystins (containing microcystin-LR) extracted from Egyptian locally isolated strain (Microcystis aeruginosa Kützing): biological and biochemical studies

Cyanobacterial blooms exert negative impacts on fisheries and water management authorities. Recently, it has gained global attention, as elevated earth warming and environmental pollution are accelerating algal growth. Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) is a worldwide and the most commonly cultured fish in Egypt. The biological interaction of the living organisms to the surrounding environment must continuously be assessed to predict future effects of the ongoing hazards on fish. The study was designed to examine the possible biological and biochemical response of O. niloticus exposed to different concentrations of microcystins crude extract (containing microcystin-LR). Three equal groups of O. niloticus were assigned for intraperitoneal injection of three different doses: 100, 200, and 400 μg m(-1) dried aqueous microcystins extract, for 10 days. Clinical, condition factor (K) and hepatosomatic index (HIS) were estimated. Biochemical alterations were evaluated via lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation assay and electrophoretic analysis of fragmented DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis. The results showed that there were discernible behavioral and clinical alterations. Significant differences in K and HIS were observed between treatments. Also, significant elevations were observed in lipid peroxidation level and in the DNA fragmentation percentage in the exposed fish to the doses of 200 and 400 μg m(-1) of microcystins crude extract. The current study addresses the possible toxic effects of microcystins crude extract to O. niloticus. The results cleared that microcystins crude extract (containing MC-LR) is toxic to O. niloticus in time- and dose-dependent manners.

Phospholipids as implant coatings

Bio-interfaces such as bio-membranes are of outmost importance for a variety of live processes. Among them are cell-interactions which take place in, on or through cell membranes. Therefore we propose to cover metallic surfaces with phospholipids to facilitate cell-material interaction. Four lipids, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (POPE), 1-palmitoyl-2- oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-L-serine] (POPS) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-rac-(1-glycerol) (POPG), were applied to four metallic growth substrates with different surface structure, roughness and porosity. The interaction of the osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 was investigated in terms of cell adhesion and viability (MTT (methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay). While POPS in general had a negative influence, the most suitable combination in terms of viability per adherent MG-63 is the coating of porous Ti6Al4V material with the phospholipids POPE or POPC. The analysis of viability of mouse macrophages RAW 264.7 and their tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) release showed that the adhesion and viability is worst on POPS while the TNF-alpha release was highest. To elucidate the potential of phospholipids to prevent or support bacterial growth, the bacterial number of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria was investigated. For lipid concentrations higher than 1 mM in solution a growth stimulating effect independent of the lipid type was detected. On a lipid coated surface the number of bacteria was reduced by 81%, 74% and 51% for POPC, POPG and POPE.