Morphological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical study on the ameliorative effect of gallic acid against bisphenol A-induced nephrotoxicity in male albino rats

The Potential Health Benefits of Gallic Acid: Therapeutic and Food Applications

Gallic acid (GA), a phenolic acid found in fruits and vegetables, has been consumed by humans for centuries. Its extensive health benefits, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, have been well-documented. GA's potent antioxidant capabilities enable it to neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and protect cells from damage. Additionally, GA exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and enzymes, making it a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases. It also demonstrates anticancer properties by inhibiting cancer cell growth and promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, GA offers cardiovascular benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, decreasing cholesterol, and enhancing endothelial function, which may aid in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. This review covers the chemical structure, sources, identification and quantification methods, and biological and therapeutic properties of GA, along with its applications in food. As research progresses, the future for GA appears promising, with potential uses in functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals aimed at improving overall health and preventing disease. However, ongoing research and innovation are necessary to fully understand its functional benefits, address current challenges, and establish GA as a mainstay in therapeutic and nutritional interventions.

Environmental toxicants and nephrotoxicity: Implications on mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Kidneys are one of the most important organs in the human body. In addition to filtering 200 liters of fluid every 24 hours, the kidney also regulates acid-base balance, maintains electrolyte balance, and removes waste and toxicants from the body. Nephrotoxicity is the term used to describe the deterioration of kidney function caused by the harmful effects of medications and various types of environmental toxicants. Exposure to environmental toxicants is an inevitable side effect in the world's increasing industrialization and even more prevalent in underdeveloped nations. Growing data over the past few years has illuminated the probable connection between environmental toxicants and nephrotoxicity. Phthalates, microplastics, acrylamide and bisphenol A are environmental toxicants of particular concern, which are known to have nephrotoxic effects. Such toxicants may accumulate in the kidneys of humans after being consumed, inhaled, or come into contact with the skin. They can enter cells through endocytosis and accumulate in the cytoplasm. Small-sized nephrotoxicants can cause a variety of ailments including inflammation with increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and apoptosis. This study uncovers the potential for new insights concerning the relationship between various environmental toxicants and kidney health. The objectives of this review is to establish information gaps, assess and identify the toxicity mechanisms of different nephrotoxicants, identify innovative pharmacological therapies that demonstrate promising therapeutic benefits/ relevance, and discuss the predictions for the future based on the analysis of the literature.

Cyclosporine-induced kidney damage was halted by sitagliptin and hesperidin via increasing Nrf2 and suppressing TNF-α, NF-κB, and Bax

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is employed for organ transplantation and autoimmune disorders. Nephrotoxicity is a serious side effect that hampers the therapeutic use of CsA. Hesperidin and sitagliptin were investigated for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-protective properties. We aimed to investigate and compare the possible nephroprotective effects of hesperidin and sitagliptin. Male Wistar rats were utilized for induction of CsA nephrotoxicity (20 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally for 7 days). Animals were treated with sitagliptin (10 mg/kg/day, orally for 14 days) or hesperidin (200 mg/kg/day, orally for 14 days). Blood urea, serum creatinine, albumin, cystatin-C (CYS-C), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and glucose were measured. The renal malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase, and SOD were estimated. Renal TNF-α protein expression was evaluated. Histopathological examination and immunostaining study of Bax, Nrf-2, and NF-κB were performed. Sitagliptin or hesperidin attenuated CsA-mediated elevations of blood urea, serum creatinine, CYS-C, glucose, renal MDA, and MPO, and preserved the serum albumin, renal catalase, SOD, and GSH. They reduced the expressions of TNF-α, Bax, NF-κB, and pathological kidney damage. Nrf2 expression in the kidney was raised. Hesperidin or sitagliptin could protect the kidney against CsA through the mitigation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. Sitagliptin proved to be more beneficial than hesperidin.

Dietary gallic acid as an antioxidant: A review of its food industry applications, health benefits, bioavailability, nano-delivery systems, and drug interactions

Gallic acid (GA), a dietary phenolic acid with potent antioxidant activity, is widely distributed in edible plants. GA has been applied in the food industry as an antimicrobial agent, food fresh-keeping agent, oil stabilizer, active food wrap material, and food processing stabilizer. GA is a potential dietary supplement due to its health benefits on various functional disorders associated with oxidative stress, including renal, neurological, hepatic, pulmonary, reproductive, and cardiovascular diseases. GA is rapidly absorbed and metabolized after oral administration, resulting in low bioavailability, which is susceptible to various factors, such as intestinal microbiota, transporters, and metabolism of galloyl derivatives. GA exhibits a tendency to distribute primarily to the kidney, liver, heart, and brain. A total of 37 metabolites of GA has been identified, and decarboxylation and dihydroxylation in phase I metabolism and sulfation, glucuronidation, and methylation in phase Ⅱ metabolism are considered the main in vivo biotransformation pathways of GA. Different types of nanocarriers, such as polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and nanodots, have been successfully developed to enhance the health-promoting function of GA by increasing bioavailability. GA may induce drug interactions with conventional drugs, such as hydroxyurea, linagliptin, and diltiazem, due to its inhibitory effects on metabolic enzymes, including cytochrome P450 3A4 and 2D6, and transporters, including P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein, and organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B3. In conclusion, in-depth studies of GA on food industry applications, health benefits, bioavailability, nano-delivery systems, and drug interactions have laid the foundation for its comprehensive application as a food additive and dietary supplement.

pH Modulated Formation of Complexes with Various Stoichiometry between Polymer Network and Fe(III) in Thermosensitive Gels Modified with Gallic Acid

Thermoresponsive gels based on N-isopropylacrylamide functionalized with amino groups were modified with gallic acid, with gallate (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic) groups being introduced into the polymer network. We investigated how the properties of these gels were affected at varying pH, by the formation of complexes between the polymer network of the gels and Fe³⁺ ions (which form stable complexes with gallic acid, exhibiting 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3 stoichiometry, depending on pH). The formation of complexes with varying stoichiometry within the gel was confirmed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, and the influence of such complexes on swelling behavior and volume phase transition temperature were investigated. In the appropriate temperature range, complex stoichiometry was found to strongly affect the swelling state. Changes in the pore structure and mechanical properties of the gel caused by the formation of complexes with varying stoichiometry were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and rheological measurements, respectively. The volume changes exhibited by p(NIPA-5%APMA)-Gal-Fe gel were found to be greatest at close to human body temperature (~38 °C). Modification of thermoresponsive pNIPA gel with gallic acid opens new opportunities for the development of pH- and thermosensitive gel materials.