Flavonoid-rich fractions from Clerodendrum volubile and Vernonia amygdalina extenuates arsenic-invoked hepato-renal toxicity via augmentation of the antioxidant system in rats

Low Dose of Nickel and Benzo [a] Anthracene in Rat-Diet, Induce Apoptosis, Fibrosis, and Initiate Carcinogenesis in Liver via NF-Ƙβ Pathway

Environmental contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and heavy metals are major contaminants of food such as fish thus serving as source of exposure to human. This study was designed to evaluate the carcinogenic risk and other risks associated with long-term consumption of environmentally relevant dose of nickel and benzo [a] anthracene in rats. Thirty-six (36) male rats weighing between 80 and 100 g were assigned into 6 groups of 6 animals each; normal, nickel-, and benzo [a] anthracene-exposed groups for 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. Micronucleus and comet analyses were done in the blood, liver, and bone marrow. Liver function, redox, and inflammatory markers (AST, ALT, GGT, SOD, GSH, MDA, protein carbonyl, protein thiol, total protein, IL-10, 1L-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β NF-Ƙβ, and 8-oxodeoxyguansine) were analysed by standard methods. Immuno-histochemical quantification of Bax, Bcl2, and Erk 1/2 as well as mRNA expression of cyclin D1 was done in liver. From the results, weight gain was observed in varying degrees throughout the exposure period. The polychromatic erythrocytes/normochromatic erythrocytes ratio > 0.2 indicates no cytotoxic effects on the bone marrow. Percentage-MnPCE in blood significantly (p < 0.05) increased throughout exposure duration. Percentage tail DNA in blood was significantly (< 0.05) increased at weeks 20 and 24 in the exposed groups and in liver at weeks 12 (16.22 ± 0.47) and 24 (17.00 ± 0.36) of nickel-exposed rats. The aspartate amino transferase (AST):alanine amino transferase (ALT) ratio indicated fatty liver disease in the benzo [a] anthracene (0.90) and acute liver injury in the nickel (> 10 times greater than the upper limits of the reference group) exposed groups during the first 12 weeks. Observation from the histological and cytological data of the liver revealed the presence of inflammation, fibrosis, and high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, respectively, in the nickel and benzo [a] anthracene groups. Only benzo [a] anthracene induced liver oxidative stress with significant (p < 0.05) decrease in SOD (0.64 ± 0.02) activity and increase in protein carbonyl (7.60 ± 0.80 × 10-5) and MDA (57.10 ± 6.64) concentration after 24 weeks. Benzo [a] anthracene up-regulated the cyclin D1 expression and significantly (p < 0.05) increased the levels of the cytokines. Nickel and benzo [a] anthracene significantly (p < 0.05) increased the Bax (183.45 ± 6.50 and 199.76 ± 10.04) and Erk 1/2 (108.25 ± 6.41 and 136.74 ± 4.22) levels when compared with the control (37.43 ± 22.22 and 60.37 ± 17.86), respectively. Overall result showed that the toxic effects of nickel and benzo [a] anthracene might involve fibrosis, cirrhosis, apoptosis, and inflammation of the liver. As clearly demonstrated in this study, benzo [a] anthracene after the 24 weeks of exposure stimulates carcinogenic process by suppressing the liver antioxidant capacity, altering apoptotic, cell proliferation, and differentiation pathways.

Coleus Amboinicus Lour. Leaf Extract as an Antioxidant in Sepsis

Background

As broad-spectrum antibiotics can cause antimicrobial resistance in sepsis, there is the need for a complementary therapy to combat sepsis. Oxidative stress causes an increased severity and mortality in sepsis, whereas herbal medicines have been considered as an option due to its antioxidant potential. Coleus amboinicus Lour. has been documented for its therapeutic value due to the presence of flavonoid, an antioxidant compound.

Objective

To study the effect of Coleus amboinicus Lour. leaf extract on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and hepatic catalase (CAT) levels in septic rat model.

Methods

Twenty-eight male Rattus norvegicus rats were divided into four groups: control (rats without sepsis induction and treatment), group 1 (septic rats treated with antibiotics), group 2 (septic rats treated with antibiotics and 250 mg/kg body weight of Coleus amboinicus Lour. leaf extract), and group 3 (septic rats treated with antibiotics and 500 mg/kg body weight of Coleus amboinicus Lour. leaf extract). The rats were sacrificed at the end of the eighth day of observation, and blood and liver tissues were gathered for examination.

Results

Compared to the septic rat groups treated with only antibiotics, there was an increase in the TAC levels and CAT expression levels in septic rat groups given antibiotics and Coleus amboinicus Lour. leaf extract. However, the increase was not significant.

Conclusion

Administering Coleus amboinicus Lour. leaf extract increases TAC levels and CAT expression levels in sepsis, decreasing oxidative stress. This will exert protective effects in the cells and therefore alleviate sepsis.

Traditional Uses, Nutritional and Pharmacological Potentials of Clerodendrum volubile

Clerodendrum volubile is an underutilized leafy vegetable consumed in some parts of Nigeria. The interest in C. volubile has continued to increase due to its multipurpose values, including traditional uses, nutritional properties, and some therapeutic potentials; however, the pharmacological prospects of the plant are yet to be fully explored. Therefore, in the present review, different databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, etc. were explored to retrieve publications used to write this review. The pharmacological potentials of C. volubile, such as anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and anti-hypertensive properties, were highlighted. The toxicological potential of the plant is also discussed. Proposed mechanisms that underline its biological activities include modulation of redox homeostasis, leading to decreased oxidative stress; down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression; inhibition of key enzymes implicated in diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and neurological diseases; and inhibition of oxidative burst and inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the prospect of endophytes from C. volubile as a bioresource to produce novel therapeutic agents, as well as the development of nanotherapeutics from the plant extracts and its phytoconstituents, are discussed. In conclusion, C. volubile possesses an enormous number of possible pharmacological properties and therapeutic potentials waiting to be explored.

Sub-acute exposure to Sudan IV-adulterated palm oil induces oxidative stress and represses the expression of Nrf2 and antioxidant genes in male albino rats

This study investigated the effects of Sudan IV dye (S4D) on antioxidant biomarkers using palm oil adulterated with S4D. Thirty male albino rats were grouped into five (n = 6); Normal control, palm oil (PO), PO + S4D (100 mg/kg), PO + S4D (250 mg/kg), and S4D (250 mg/kg) for 21 days. Oxidative stress biomarkers were assessed in the serum, liver, and kidneys. Exposure to S4D (alone and in adulterated PO) occasioned significant depletions in the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx, as well as GSH levels in the assessed compartments. Contrastingly, the levels of NO and MDA were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the serum, liver, and kidney of rats exposed to PO + S4D (both doses) and S4D (250 mg/kg) when compared to control rats. Further, the expressions of the genes coding for CAT, GPx-1, GSR, and Nrf-2 were significantly (p < 0.05) down-regulated, relative to β-actin, in groups exposed to S4D compared to the control. Interestingly, these parameters were not significantly different (p > 0.05) in the unadulterated PO-exposed rats compared to the control. These results show that S4D depleted the antioxidant capacities, while potentiating the generation of reactive species and oxidative damage. This study provides useful information on the oxidative mechanisms associated with consumption of S4D-containing consumer products.