In vivo immunoprotective role of Indigofera tinctoria and Scoparia dulcis aqueous extracts against chronic noise stress induced immune abnormalities in Wistar albino rats

Effect of aqueous extract of Indigofera tinctoria (Linn) on aging-induced inflammation and its associated left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis in the rat

The aim of the present study is to investigate the ameliorative potential of the aqueous extract of Indigofera tinctoria (IT) in aging-induced inflammation and its associated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Young (3-month-old) and aged (24-26-month-old) male Wistar albino rats were grouped into young control, aged control, aged + IT, and young + IT. The animals in the supplementary groups received 200 mg/kg BWT of aqueous extract of IT orally once a day for 21 days. Aged animals showed prolonged QT interval and increased weight and volume of the heart with a thickening ventricular wall. Infiltration of leukocytes and increased cardiomyocyte diameter and decreased numerical density along with cardiomyocyte apoptosis and increased collagen accumulation were also seen in aged myocardium when compared to the young. The expression profile of various pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, NFκB, and iNOS was increased with a concomitant reduction in IL-10 expression in the aged compared to the young. In addition, a marked increase in ROS generation, TGF-β, and α-SMA levels is evident in the aged myocardium. These pathological changes were greatly reversed in aged animals supplemented with IT. Furthermore, the aged + IT group showed repression of pro-inflammatory markers with a subsequent increase in IL-10 expression. Contrarily, no marked changes were observed between young and young + IT groups. Taken together, it is concluded that the aqueous extract of Indigofera tinctoria suppresses cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy by repressing the inflammation and its associated activation of TGFβ and myofibroblast conversion.

The Effect of Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria L.) Waste on Growth Performance, Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, Hematology and Immune Response in Growing Beef Cattle

This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of indigo waste on the feed intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, hematology, immune response and growth performance in growing beef cattle. Twenty crossbred beef cattle with an initial body weight (BW) of 145 ± 11 kg were fed four levels of indigo waste for 90 days in a trial. Additions of indigo waste at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% in a concentrate diet using a completely randomized design (CRD). Cattle were fed concentrate at 1.8% BW, with rice straw fed ad libitum. The concentrate intake decreased linearly (p = 0.01) with the addition of indigo waste. The supplementation with indigo waste reduced dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility cubically (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively), while increasing neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility cubically (p = 0.02). The final BW of beef cattle decreased linearly (p = 0.03) with the addition of indigo waste. The inclusion of indigo waste decreased the average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) linearly (p < 0.01) from 0 to 90 days. The nutrient digestibility, ADG and G:F of beef cattle fed 10% indigo waste in the diet was similar when compared with the control (0% indigo waste). The ruminal pH, ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were similar among treatments (p > 0.05). The proportion of acetate increased linearly (p < 0.01) but propionate decreased linearly (p < 0.01), resulting in an increase in the acetate to propionate ratio (p < 0.01) when cattle were fed with indigo waste supplementation. Increasing indigo waste levels did not influence blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, hematological parameters or immune responses (IgA, IgM and IgG) (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of indigo waste at 10% in a concentrate diet did not have a negative effect on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, hematology, immune function or growth performance in growing beef cattle.

A review on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the herb Scoparia dulcis L. for the potential treatment of metabolic syndrome

This review discusses the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Scoparia dulcis L. (S. dulcis) plants. So far, approximately 160 compounds have been identified from S. dulcis, among which 115 compounds may be related to the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Extracts of S. dulcis have effects of reducing fasting blood glucose level, increasing the plasma insulin level, and stimulating insulin secretion to treat diabetes. They also produce antihyperlipidemic effects by increasing serum high-density lipoprotein levels, the anti-atherogenic index of plasma, and HMG-CoA reductase activity. The chemical composition of glutinol and glutinone, isolated from S. dulcis, provide potential anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds can also reduce total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol to provide the anti-atherosclerotic effect. S. dulcis exerts anti-arthritic properties through its effect on cytokine levels, significantly reducing IFN-γ and IL-6 levels and elevating IL-10 levels. The extracts carry out hepatoprotective effect by preventing the descent of the antioxidative enzymes of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRd), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Therefore, S. dulcis provides new potential for medicine given its numerous therapeutic properties and can be promoted as a complementary or alternative therapy for patients with chronic conditions.

The Immune System Can Hear Noise

As a stressor widely existing in daily life, noise can cause great alterations to the immune system and result in many physical and mental disorders, including noise-induced deafness, sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine diseases and other problems. The immune system plays a major role in maintaining homeostasis by recognizing and removing harmful substances in the body. Many studies have shown that noise may play vital roles in the occurrence and development of some immune diseases. In humans, both innate immunity and specific immunity can be influenced by noise, and different exposure durations and intensities of noise may exert various effects on the immune system. Short-term or low-intensity noise can enhance immune function, while long-term or high-intensity noise suppresses it. Noise can lead to the occurrence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) through the production of autoantibodies such as anti-Hsp70 and anti-Hsp60 and exert adverse effects related to other immune-related diseases such as some autoimmune diseases and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The neuroendocrine system, mainly including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system, is involved in the mechanisms of immune-related diseases induced by noise and gut microbiota dysfunction. In addition, noise exposure during pregnancy may be harmful to the immune system of the fetus. On the other hand, some studies have shown that music can improve immune function and alleviate the adverse effects caused by noise.

Effect of food plants on Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae immune and antioxidant properties in response to Bacillus thuringiensis infection

The larvae of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) were reared on five host plants, Brassica oleracea, Nicotiana tabacum, Ricinus communis, Gossypium hirsutum, and Arachis hypogaea. The larvae were immunized with Bacillus thuringiensis to observe the immune response. The results of total and differential hemocyte count were increased in B. oleracea, N. tabacum, and R. communis fed S. litura larval hemolymph. Similar results were observed in the parameter of nodulation, melanization, and phenoloxidase. Total protein was higher in R. communis fed larvae. Antioxidant levels like Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione S- transferase (GST), Peroxidase (POX), Lipid peroxidase (LPO), and Esterase (EST) was found in moreover all plant-feeding insect. High CAT activity was observed 2-6 h in R. communis, G. hirsutum, and A. hypogaea fed S. litura larval midgut and fatbody samples. Increased SOD activity in both midgut and fatbody at 2-12 h of B. oleracea, G. hirsutum, and A. hypogaea fed. GST activity was increased initially 2-6 h in G. hirsutum and A. hypogaea. Increased POX activity was observed initially in all treated groups. Highest LPO observed at 6 h in N. tabacum in both midgut and fatbody. Whereas increased EST activity was observed in N. tabacum and B. oleracea. The results of the present study shows that nature of food influence the immunity against Bt infection. This information can be very useful for incorporating biological control program for insect pest.

A review of traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Indigofera

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Indigofera is the third-largest genus in the family of Fabaceae, with approximately 750 species. It is distributed across all tropical regions. Indigofera species are widely employed in traditional medicine all around the world, against many ailments. Thus, based on these medicinal properties, various investigations have been undertaken in order to appraise the pharmacological activities and the chemical composition of these species. A recent paper provides a summary of the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Indigofera. Consequently, this review is a continuation of this previous study by updating some data and adding information about the phylogeny and traditional uses of the genus.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To provide an overview of the phylogeny, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of the genus Indigofera, and to identify the remaining gaps and thus supply a basis for further investigations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of the literature was performed by consulting scientific databases such as 'ScienceDirect', 'PubMed', 'Google Scholar' and 'SpringerLink' and using the keyword Indigofera.

RESULTS

Over 60 Indigofera species are reported in traditional medicine. The uses depend on the country and the species, but similarities have been noticed. Indeed, treatments of gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory conditions and pain, skin ailments, and respiratory and infectious diseases are recurring. Phytochemical studies have led to the identification of more than 200 compounds, notably flavonoids and terpenoids. Many pharmacological activities have been demonstrated, particularly antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities, and thus allowed to assert most of the traditional uses of the genus. Some active compounds have been isolated and have shown remarkable therapeutic potential, like the alkaloid indirubin, which is currently being clinically trialed.

CONCLUSIONS

The data on the genus Indigofera are extensive, but gaps still remain. Indeed, some promising species have not been assessed for their phytochemistry and/or pharmacology and thus remain unexplored. Moreover, relatively few active compounds have been isolated and tested for their biological activity, and studies to explain their mechanism of action are nearly inexistent. Furthermore, some pharmacological studies have inappropriate methodologies that make the results difficult to interpret. Consequently, further in-depth and relevant research is required to supplement the knowledge on this wide-ranging genus and to confirm its reported therapeutic potential.

Inflammatory and immunological changes caused by noise exposure: A systematic review

Today, due to the growth of industries and spread of the use of various instruments and devices that produce high noise levels, it is necessary to pay more attention to the effects of exposure to noise on organs and tissues in the body. The importance of the immune system in fighting external and pathogenic factors has raised the need to consider external factors (such as harmful physical factors) and make efforts to avoid producing them. In this systematic review, 811 potentially relevant studies were found in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, of which 32 different English-written articles were included in the study. The method of searching and systematically reviewing articles was based on the assessment tool of the multiple systematic reviews (AMSTAR) method. The results of this study suggested that noise could affect the function of the immune system and its components by affecting other systems and organs of the body, including the central nervous system, auditory system, circulatory system, and endocrine gland. Moreover, it can be hypothesized that noise affects immune system by producing the NADPH oxidase (Nox) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Napabucasin prevents brain injury in neuronal neonatal rat cells through suppression of apoptosis and inflammation

The present study investigates the protective effect of napabucasin on the expression of apoptosis markers and inflammatory factors in the neuronal rat cells with post-isolation damage. The level of ROS determined by the fluorescence measurement in the neuronal rat cells with post-isolation damage was 310.21 RFU compared to 21.45 RFU in sham cell cultures. Napabucasin treatment decreased ROS level in the neuronal rat cells with post-isolation damage in dose based manner. ROS level decreased to 278.67, 203.65, 163.32 and 26.87 RFU, respectively in 1, 2, 3 and 4 μM napabucasin treated cell cultures. Treatment with napabucasin increased GSH level significantly (P < 0.05) in the neuronal rat cells with post-isolation damage. Napabucasin treatment at with 1, 2, 3 and 4 μM concentrations increased SOD activity to 2.4, 3.6, 5.1 and 6.1 U/mg, respectively. Treatment with napabucasin increased the activity of catalase in dose based manner. Napabucasin treatment increased Gpx in injured brain cells of neonatal rats. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in the activity of AChE was observed in neuronal rat cells with post-isolation damage on treatment with napabucasin. Treatment with napabucasin reduced the level of TNF-α and IL-6 significantly (P < 0.05) compared to untreated group. Napabucasin treatment decreased the expression of Bax, caspase-3 and p53 proteins in the neuronal rat cells with post-isolation damage. Napabucasin treatment protects post-isolation damage in the neuronal cells of neonatal rats by suppression of apoptosis and oxidative stress. Therefore, napabucasin can be used for the treatment of brain injury.

Protective effects of taurine against inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in brain injury

The protective effect of taurine against inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress in traumatic brain injury was investigated in the present study. Taurine is a non-proteogenic and essential amino acid in animals. It plays a critical nutritional role in brain cell growth, differentiation, and development. Taurine is involved in regeneration and neuroprotection in the injured nervous system, and is an effective antioxidant against lead-, cadmium-, and exercise-induced oxidative stress. Astrocytes and neuron cells were co-cultured and cells were treated with different concentrations of taurine (100, 200 and 300 mg/l) for 72 h, and the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, acetylcholinesterase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, caspase-3, p53, B-cell lymphoma 2 and Bcl-2-associated X protein were determined. These inflammatory, apoptotic, and oxidative stress markers were substantially increased in injured cells, and returned to normal levels following taurine supplementation. Thus, taurine supplementation may be effective against oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in injured brain cells.