Immunosuppressant drug tacrolimus induced mitochondrial nephrotoxicity, modified PCNA and Bcl-2 expression attenuated by Ocimum basilicum L. in CD1 mice

Ameliorative potential role of Rosmarinus officinalis extract on toxicity induced by etoposide in male albino rats

Abstract The present work was showed to assess the effect of administration of rosemary extract on etoposide-induced toxicity, injury and proliferation in male rats were investigated. Forty male albino rats were arranged into four equal groups. 1st group, control; 2nd group, etoposide; 3rd group, co-treated rosemary & etoposide; 4th group, rosemary alone. In comparison to the control group, etoposide administration resulted in a significant increase in serum ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, total protein, and gamma GT. In contrast; a significant decrease in albumin level in etoposide group as compared to G1. G3 revealed a significant decrease in AST, ALT, ALP, total protein and total bilirubin levels and a significant rise in albumin level when compared with G2. Serum levels of urea, creatinine, potassium ions, and chloride ions significantly increased; while sodium ions were significantly decreased in G2 when compared with G1. Also, there was an increase of MDA level for etoposide treated group with corresponding control rats. However, there was a remarkable significant decrease in SOD, GPX and CAT levels in G2 as compared to G1. There was a significant increase in serum hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Nitric oxide (NO) levels in group treated with etoposide when compared to control group. It was noticeable that administrated by rosemary alone either with etoposide had not any effect on the levels of H2O2 and Nitric oxide. Serum level of T3 and T4 was significantly increased in etoposide-administered rats in comparison with G1. The administration of rosemary, either alone or with etoposide, increased the serum levels of T3 and T4 significantly when compared to control rats. The gene expression analysis showed significant downregulation of hepatic SOD and GPx in (G2) when compared with (G1). The treatment with rosemary extract produced significant upregulation of the antioxidant enzymes mRNA SOD and GPx. MDA gene was increased in (G2) when contrasted with (G1). Treatment of the etoposide- induced rats with rosemary extract delivered significant decrease in MDA gene expression when compared with etoposide group. Rats treated with etoposide showed significant decline in hepatic Nrf2 protein expression, when compared with G1. While, supplementation of Etoposide- administered rats with the rosemary produced a significant elevation in hepatic Nrf2 protein levels. Additionally, the liver histological structure displayed noticeable degeneration and cellular infiltration in liver cells. It is possible to infer that rosemary has a potential role and that it should be researched as a natural component for etoposide-induced toxicity protection.

Impact of Saussurea lappa root extract against copper oxide nanoparticles induced oxidative stress and toxicity in rat cardiac tissues

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) have developed as a significant class of nanomaterial with potential dangers to organisms and the environment in a variety of applications. This study aimed to investigate the impact of costus root extract against CuO NPs induced oxidative stress, alterations in heart structure and functions. 40 adult male rats were assigned randomly to four groups: first; control, second; costus (300 mg/kg body weight/day) orally for 2 weeks, third; CuO NPs (100 mg/kg body weight/day) intraperitoneally for 4 weeks and fourth; CuO NPs + costus. Current results revealed, significant increases in serum levels of creatine kinase-MB, creatine kinase enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, cardiac TBIRS, total thiol, nitric oxide, and cardiac proliferating cell nuclear antigen after CuO NPs administration when compared with control group. Conversely, statistical significant decreases were detected in cardiac reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in CuO NPs group as compared with control group. Interestingly, treatment of CuO NPs with costus root extract was associated with significant improvements of the studied parameters, heart structure and functions. CuO NPs-induced toxicity, injury and oxidative stress in rat heart and treatment with Costus root extract could scavenge free radicals producing beneficial effects against CuO NPs.

The potential curative role of Avena sativa extract against oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis induced by acute hepatotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in rats

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs or nanosilver) have pulled in expanding interest because of their novel physical, substance, and organic properties contrasted with their full scale scaled partners. The goal of this study was to investigate if Avena sativa (AVS) extract could ameliorate Ag NPs toxicity-induced alterations in liver structure and function, DNA damage, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Twenty adult male rats were assigned randomly to four groups: control, AVS (intragastrically, 5 g/Kg body weight/day) for 2 weeks, Ag NPs (400 mg/kg body weight/day) for 1 week as acute toxicity and Ag NPs + AVS (same therapy of Ag NPs as acute toxicity with AVS). This study demonstrated a statistical significant increase in serum levels of liver function tests (AST, ALT, ALP and globulin), liver DNA damage, apoptotic P53 and Malondialdehyde after Ag NPs administration when compared to control group. Conversely, statistical significant decreases were detected in serum albumin, total proteins, liver reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase and anti-apoptotic Bcl₂ in Ag NPs group as compared to control group. Interestingly, treatment of Ag NPs with AVS (Ag Nps + AVS) was associated with significant improvements of the studied parameters, liver structure and functions. Avena sativa (AVS) extract could scavenge free radicals producing beneficial effects against acute Ag NPs hepatotoxicity in rats induced through activation of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Ellagic acid regulates hyperglycemic state through modulation of pancreatic IL-6 and TNF- α immunoexpression

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Impact of the ACE2 activator xanthenone on tacrolimus nephrotoxicity: Modulation of uric acid/ERK/p38 MAPK and Nrf2/SOD3/GCLC signaling pathways

AIMS

The calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus is an effective and widely used immunosuppressant after organ transplantation to reduce graft rejection. However, its nephrotoxic effect could compel the patients to treatment discontinuation. The beneficial effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the kidney and other organs have been investigated in several studies, but its role in tacrolimus nephrotoxicity still needs to be elucidated. Our study was designed to investigate effects of the ACE2 activator xanthenone on tacrolimus-induced renal injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats were administered xanthenone (2 mg/kg) concurrently with tacrolimus (1 mg/kg) for 3 weeks, then blood and kidney tissue samples were collected for biochemical and molecular investigations.

KEY FINDINGS

Co-administration of xanthenone significantly improved renal functions in tacrolimus-treated rats, where serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels were close to those of the normal control. Besides, xanthenone reduced renal angiotensin (ANG) II content, while elevated ANG (1-7). Relative protein expressions of p-ERK/ERK and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK inflammatory signals were downregulated upon xanthenone administration with tacrolimus. In addition, xanthenone reinforced antioxidant defense against tacrolimus by enhancing protein expression of the transcription factor Nrf2 with subsequently increased mRNA expressions of the antioxidants SOD3 and GCLC.

SIGNIFICANCE

These protective effects of xanthenone could be attributed to ANG II degradation to ANG (1-7) by ACE2 activation resulting in regulated inflammatory and oxidative responses in the kidney. Therefore, administration of xanthenone along with tacrolimus could be a promising therapeutic strategy to reduce the adverse effects and increase the tolerability to tacrolimus immunosuppressive therapy.

Attenuation of tacrolimus induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and cell cycle arrest by Boerhavia diffusa root fraction in mdck cell lines

OBJECTIVES

The protective effect of ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of Boerhavia diffusa roots against Tacrolimus (TAC) induced nephrotoxicity was studied using MDCK cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethanolic root extract of B. diffusa was fractionated using the liquid-liquid partition method. The cytotoxic effect of TAC and protective effect of EAF co-treatment were studied in MDCK cell lines by measuring ROS, LPO, and NO levels; collagen accumulation, effect on mitochondrial membrane integrity and cell cycle analysis were studied. The active component in EAF was quantified by HPLC analysis.

RESULTS

TAC induced toxicity, leading to apoptosis and necrosis, was significantly reduced (P<0.001) in EAF co-treatment, with reversal of cell cycle arrest and reduced cell population at sub G0/G1 phase. Further, ROS (P<0.05), LPO and NO (P<0.001), were significantly reduced with EAF co-treatment compared with TAC individually treated cells. TAC induced mitochondrial membrane integrity loss was found to be significantly reduced in co-treated cells, as measured by rhodamine123 (P<0.05) and translocation of cytochrome c (P<0.001) from nucleus to cytoplasm, and caspase 3 release (P<0.001). The same was confirmed through annexin-FITC and PI staining (P<0.05) with reduced apoptotic and necrotic death in co-treated population. Interestingly, EAF co-treatment decreased collagen accumulation (P<0.001) with significant increase in the cell survival of tubular epithelial cells. HPLC analysis showed the presence of Quercetin (87.5 mg/g) in EAF, which may be responsible for the nephroprotective role.

CONCLUSION

Thus, these results provide sound evidence that EAF may be an effective adjuvant therapy to prevent nephrotoxicity induced by TAC.

Grape seed extract ameliorated Ehrlich solid tumor-induced hepatic tissue and DNA damage with reduction of PCNA and P53 protein expression in mice

This study evaluated the ameliorative potential of grape seed extract (GSE) against Ehrlich solid tumor (EST)-induced hepatic tissue alterations in mice. The control group was infused with physiological saline. The second group received GSE (50 mg/kg day by day orally) for 2 weeks. The third group was subcutaneously injected with 2.5 million of EST cells. The fourth group was injected with EST cells and treated with GSE extract simultaneously. The fifth group was injected with EST cells and kept for 2 weeks until the appearance of a solid tumor, then treated with GSE for 2 weeks. The phytochemical analysis of GSE revealed the presence of total phenols (17.442 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid (6.687 mg CE/g) with antioxidant activity of 81.506 mg TE/g DPPH. The Ehrlich solid tumor significantly raised the activities of ALT, AST, and ALP; the level of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) in serum; and the protein expressions of hepatic proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and tumor suppressor protein (P53), as well as induced DNA damage and pathological alterations in liver tissue. However, it significantly reduced serum albumin and total protein levels. In contrast, the co- or post-treatment of EST-bearing mice with GSE reduced the activities of ALT, AST, and ALP; the level AFP in serum; and hepatic P53 and PCNA protein expressions. In addition, it reduced EST-induced hepatic DNA damage and pathological alterations, while it increased serum albumin and total protein levels. This study suggested that GSE is a potent hepatoprotective agent and both co- and post-treatment of EST-bearing mice with GSE almost had the same effects.

Protective Role of Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase in Allograft Rejection and Tubular Injury in Kidney Transplantation

Renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) are the primary targets of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and rejection by the recipient's immune response in kidney transplantation (KTx). However, the molecular mechanism of rejection and IRI remains to be identified. Our previous study demonstrated that kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) and kynureninase were reduced in ischemia-reperfusion procedure and further decreased in rejection allografts among mismatched pig KTx. Herein, we reveal that TEC injury in acutely rejection allografts is associated with alterations of Bcl2 family proteins, reduction of tight junction protein 1 (TJP1), and TEC-specific KMO. Three cytokines, IFN γ , TNFα, and IL1β, reported in our previous investigation were identified as triggers of TEC injury by altering the expression of Bcl2, BID, and TJP1. Allograft rejection and TEC injury were always associated with a dramatic reduction of KMO. 3HK and 3HAA, as direct and downstream products of KMO, effectively protected TEC from injury via increasing expression of Bcl-xL and TJP1. Both 3HK and 3HAA further prevented allograft rejection by inhibiting T cell proliferation and up-regulating aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression. Pig KTx with the administration of DNA nanoparticles (DNP) that induce expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and KMO to increase 3HK/3HAA showed an improvement of allograft rejection as well as murine skin transplant in IDO knockout mice with the injection of 3HK indicated a dramatic reduction of allograft rejection. Taken together, our data provide strong evidence that reduction of KMO in the graft is a key mediator of allograft rejection and loss. KMO can effectively improve allograft outcome by attenuating allograft rejection and maintaining graft barrier function.

Anticancer Effects of Tacrolimus on Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mice

BACKGROUND

Tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor widely used for immunological disorders. However, there is a significant controversy regarding its effect on the liver. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anticancer effects of tacrolimus on an induced murine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model and its possible hepatotoxicity at standard therapeutic doses.

METHODS

Fifty-four male mice were divided into five groups: a control healthy group, control HCC group, tacrolimus-treated group, doxorubicin (DOXO)-treated group, and combined tacrolimus- and DOXO-treated group. The activity of liver enzymes, including alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase, was determined. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to measure the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, and p53 mRNA. Immunohistochemical staining for cyclin D1 and VEGF was performed.

RESULTS

Mice that received combined treatment with tacrolimus and DOXO exhibited the best improvement in all parameters when compared with the groups that received DOXO or tacrolimus alone (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The combination of DOXO and tacrolimus was more effective in the management of HCC compared with either agent alone. This improvement was detected by the reduction of liver enzymes and the improvement of the histopathological picture. The involved mechanisms included significant apoptosis induction demonstrated by upregulation of bax along with a reduction in angiogenesis demonstrated by downregulation of VEGF. This was accompanied by inhibition of cell cycle progression mediated by upregulated p53 and downregulated PCNA and cyclin D1.

Therapeutic concentrations of calcineurin inhibitors do not deregulate glutathione redox balance in human renal proximal tubule cells

The calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) cyclosporine A and tacrolimus comprise the basis of immunosuppressive regimes in all solid organ transplantation. However, long-term or high exposure to CNI leads to histological and functional renal damage (CNI-associated nephrotoxicity). In the kidney, proximal tubule cells are the only cells that metabolize CNI and these cells are believed to play a central role in the origin of the toxicity for this class of drugs, although the underlying mechanisms are not clear. Several studies have reported oxidative stress as an important mediator of CNI-associated nephrotoxicity in response to CNI exposure in different available proximal tubule cell models. However, former models often made use of supra-therapeutic levels of tissue drug exposure. In addition, they were not shown to express the relevant enzymes (e.g., CYP3A5) and transporters (e.g., P-glycoprotein) for the metabolism of CNI in human proximal tubule cells. Moreover, the used methods for detecting ROS were potentially prone to false positive results. In this study, we used a novel proximal tubule cell model established from human allograft biopsies that demonstrated functional expression of relevant enzymes and transporters for the disposition of CNI. We exposed these cells to CNI concentrations as found in tissue of stable solid organ transplant recipients with therapeutic blood concentrations. We measured the glutathione redox balance in this cell model by using organelle-targeted variants of roGFP2, a highly sensitive green fluorescent reporter protein that dynamically equilibrates with the glutathione redox couple through the action of endogenous glutaredoxins. Our findings provide evidence that CNI, at concentrations commonly found in allograft biopsies, do not alter the glutathione redox balance in mitochondria, peroxisomes, and the cytosol. However, at supra-therapeutic concentrations, cyclosporine A but not tacrolimus increases the ratio of oxidized/reduced glutathione in the mitochondria, suggestive of imbalances in the redox environment.

Vitamin B17 Ameliorates Methotrexate-Induced Reproductive Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Testicular Injury in Male Rats

Methotrexate (MTX; 4-amino-10-methylfolic acid) is a folic acid reductase inhibitor used to treat autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancer. Testicular toxicity resulting from MTX is a significant side effect that may cause subsequent infertility. The present study was conducted to examine the ameliorating effects of vitamin B17 (VitB17) against testicular toxicity induced by MTX in male rats. A total of 50 male albino rats were equally divided into five groups [control group; vitamin B17 group (VitB17) administered VitB17 only; methotrexate group administered MTX only; cotreated group, (VitB17+MTX) and posttreated group (MTX+VitB17)]. In methotrexate group (MTX), a significant decrease was observed in body weight and the testicular weight, as well as the levels of plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone compared with control. The sperm count, viability, morphology index, total motility, and progressive motility also decreased in MTX rats compared with control. Furthermore, the levels of reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression, in the testicular tissue decreased in MTX compared with control. In addition, MTX caused a significant increase in DNA and tissue damage compared with control. However, VitB17 ameliorated these effects, indicating that it has a preventative and curative effect against MTX-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. The protective effect of VitB17 may be associated to its antioxidant properties as it possibly acts as a free-radical scavenger and lipid peroxidation inhibitor, as well as its protective effect on the levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT.

The Antioxidant, Anti-Apoptotic, and Proliferative Potency of Argan Oil against Betamethasone-Induced Oxidative Renal Damage in Rats

Simple Summary

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of argan oil against nephrotoxic effect following overdose and long-term administration of betamethasone. The results revealed that betamethasone induced hematological changes, including reduction of red blood cells with leukocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis, lymphocytopenia, and marked thrombocytopenia. Moreover, betamethasone caused significant increase of serum urea and creatinine levels; renal malondialdehyde and nitric oxide contents associated with significant decrease of reduced glutathione content. Betamethasone also caused vascular, degenerative, and inflammatory histopathological alterations in kidney tissue along with increase of Bax and caspase-3 expressions and decrease of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expressions. Conversely, the concomitant administration of argan oil (0.5, 1 mL/kg) with betamethasone ameliorated the aforementioned hematological, biochemical, pathological, and histochemical adverse effects. In conclusion, overdose and long-term administration of betamethasone could induce hematological changes and severe renal damage mediated by oxidative, apoptotic and proliferative mechanisms via increasing renal functions biomarkers and altering oxidant/antioxidant status along with pathological lesions and imbalance of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio that positively correlates with up-regulation of caspase-3 and down-regulation of PCNA in kidney tissue. However, argan oil could potentially protect against betamethasone- induced renal damage, in a dose-dependent manner, via its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and proliferative properties.

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of argan oil (AO) against nephrotoxic effects following overdose and long-term administration of betamethasone (BM). The phytochemical compositions of AO were assessed using GC/MS. Forty eight male Wister albino rats were divided into six groups and treated for 3 successive weeks. The control group was orally administrated distilled water daily, the BM group received BM (1 mg/kg, IM, day after day), AO/0.5 and AO/1 groups received AO (0.5 mL/kg, 1 mL/kg, orally, daily, respectively), BM + AO/0.5 group and BM + AO/1 group. The results revealed that BM induced hematological changes, including reduction of red blood cells with leukocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis, lymphocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Moreover, BM caused a significant increase of serum urea and creatinine levels, and renal malondialdehyde and nitric oxide contents with significant decrease of reduced glutathione content. BM also caused vascular, degenerative, and inflammatory histopathological alterations in kidney, along with an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, activation of caspase-3, and decrease of proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression. Conversely, the concomitant administration of AO (0.5, 1 mL/kg) with BM ameliorated the aforementioned hematological, biochemical, pathological, and histochemical BM adverse effects. In conclusion, AO has protective effects against BM-induced renal damage, possibly via its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and proliferative properties.

Evaluation of the testicular protection conferred by damiana (Turnera diffusa Willd.) against amitriptyline-induced testicular toxicity, DNA damage and apoptosis in rats

Psychiatric drugs, such as antidepressants, are used to treat depression based on their ability to modify chemical imbalances of the key neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Amitriptyline, a first-reference tricyclic antidepressant derived from dibenzocycloheptadine, is frequently used, especially in neuropsychiatry, to address general depression, major depressive disorders, and fibromyalgia. Therefore, this study attempted to examine the sexual dysfunction attendant on the use of Amitriptyline by investigating the protective role that can be played by damiana. To this end, this study used damiana (Turnera diffusa Willd.) as adjuvant therapy in male albino rats receiving Amitriptyline. Sixty male albino rats were randomly allocated to six groups, with 10 rats being assigned to each group; the first group was a control, the second was treated with damiana only, the third group was given Amitriptyline, the fourth group received Amitriptyline and damiana simultaneously, the fifth group was given Amitriptyline and post-treated with damiana, and the sixth group was given Amitriptyline and then allowed time for self-healing. The findings of this study suggest that oxidative stress occurs in testicular tissue in rat groups treated with Amitriptyline, as manifested by inappropriate activity of TBARS, SOD, GSH, GR, GST, and GPx. Amitriptyline also repressed reproductive hormonal activity, as confirmed by histopathological lesions, DNA damage, and p53 protein expression. The addition of damiana, however, showed aprotective role in all testicular activity indices.

Sinapic Acid Attenuates Cardiovascular Disorders in Rats by Modulating Reactive Oxygen Species and Angiotensin Receptor Expression

The main avoidable risk factor for cardiovascular conditions is high blood pressure (hypertension). At global level, hypertension is believed to be responsible for a 54% stroke-related mortality rate and a 47% mortality rate associated with coronary heart disease. It is postulated that sinapic acid (SA) could help in hypertension management because it displays robust antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and peroxynitrite scavenging effects. To explore this hypothesis, this work examined the effect of SA on oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease in rats with hypertension by comparison against captopril. For this purpose, 50 male rats were used and equally allocated to five groups, namely, normal control, positive control (L-NAME), L-NAME with concomitant captopril administration, L-NAME with concomitant SA administration, and L-NAME with concomitant administration of both SA and captopril. Results showed that, by contrast to control, L-NAME exhibited marked elevation in serum CK-MB, total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL-C, LDL-C, Ang II, AT2R, ET-1, and angiopoietin-2; on the other hand, L-NAME exhibited marked reduction in serum HDL-C, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3), and glutathione (GSH). Furthermore, joint administration of SA and captopril ameliorated hypertension, enhanced cardiovascular function, hindered hyperlipidemia, and decreased oxidative stress and myocardial hypertrophy displayed by rats with hypertension. Based on such findings, better chemopreventive or therapeutic approaches can be devised to manage hypertension and cardiovascular conditions.

Hepatic ameliorative role of vitamin B17 against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-induced liver toxicity

Vitamin B17 (VB17), also known as amygdalin and laetrile, is a type of carbohydrate occurring naturally in many plants, such as apricot kernels which have obtained a great interest in cancer therapy. This study aimed to investigate the hepatic protective potential of VB17 against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mice-induced liver injury, DNA damage, apoptotic P53, and PCNA alterations. A total of 100 female mice were divided into 5 groups (1st group, control group; 2nd group, VB17 group; 3rd group, EAC group; 4th group, pre-treated EAC with VB17; 5th group, co-treated EAC with VB17). Results showed that the presence of VB17 in pre-treated and co-treated groups lead to decreased DNA damage, microsomal protein, NADPH cytochrome c reductase, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), AST, ALT, and ALP while showed increased cytochrome b5, cytochrome P450 amidopyrine N-demethylase, and aniline 4-hydroxylase compared with the EAC group. Many histopathological changes were observed in liver sections in EAC as moderate fibrosis and marked diffuse necrosis of hepatic tissue, marked inflammatory cells, and congested blood sinusoids. On the other hand, there was a moderate degree of improvement in hepatocytes in liver sections in pre-treated VB17+EAC, while a mild degree of improvement in hepatocytes, moderate cellular infiltrations, and moderate cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatocytes in liver sections in co-treated EAC+VB17. In addition, there was a depletion in hepatic P53 and PCNA protein expression compared with the EAC group. It could be concluded that VB17 has a potential hepatoprotective effect against EAC cell-induced liver toxicity.

Modulatory effects of Saussurea lappa root aqueous extract against ethephon-induced kidney toxicity in male rats

Ethephon (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) is a plant growth promoter used to control the plant growth process by liberating ethylene and stimulating the production of endogenous ethylene. Medicinal plants are sources of novel drug discovery targets. Costus (Saussurea lappa) has been used as traditional Chinese medicine. The current study was conducted to examine the possible modifying effects of costus (S. lappa) root aqueous extract against kidney toxicity induced by ethephon in male rats. A total of 50 adult male rats were divided into five groups (first, control; second, costus; third, ethephon; fourth, posttreated ethephon with costus; fifth, ethephon self-healing). There is a significant increase in the serum levels of urea, creatinine, potassium ions, chloride ions, kidney injury, DNA damage, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expressions in treated rats with ethephon when compared to the control group. In contrast, the treated rats with ethephon revealed a significant decrease in the levels of sodium ions and an insignificant decrease in the calcium ions. Saussurea lappa extract modified these alterations when compared to the control group. As a result, costus root extract significantly reduced rat kidney toxicity after ethephon administration. We recommend costus to be included in diet for its valuable effects, and also producers and consumers should become more aware about the toxic effects of ethephon.

Grape seeds proanthocyanidin extract ameliorates Ehrlich solid tumor induced renal tissue and DNA damage in mice

The current study was carried out to evaluate the protective effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins extract (GSPE) against Ehrlich solid tumor (EST) induced renal injury, with the respect to DNA fragmentation and P53 and PCNA proteins expression in renal tissue. A total of 50 female mice were randomly assigned into five groups. Control mice were injected with physiological saline solution. Mice of the 2^nd group were administered with GSPE (50 mg/kg bw/every 2day/per OS) for 2 weeks and injected with physiological saline solution. Mice of the 3^rd group were injected subcutaneously with 2.5 million cells of EAC/mouse. Mice of the 4^th group were injected with EAC as the 3^rd group and administered with GSPE as the 2^nd group simultaneously for 2 weeks. Mice of the 5^th group were injected with EAC as the 3^rd group and left for 2 weeks (till development of solid tumor), then treated with GSPE for another 2 weeks. EST significantly increased serum levels of urea, creatinine, potassium and chloride. In addition, it induced renal tissue and DNA injuries and increased P53, PCNA and ki67 proteins expression in renal tissues. On the other hand, it decreased serum levels of sodium and calcium ions. However, treatment of EST bearing mice with GSPE normalized serum levels of the above-mentioned parameters and improved renal tissue structure and reduced renal tissue DNA damage and P53, PCNA and ki67 proteins expression. These results indicated that GSPE is a promising nephron protective agent against EST induced renal injury.