Protocatechuic acid protects against menadione-induced liver damage by up-regulating nuclear erythroid-related factor 2

The protective effects of protocatechuic acid against natural and chemical toxicants: cellular and molecular mechanisms

Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a water-soluble polyphenol compound that is extracted from certain fruits and plants or obtained from glucose fermentation. Several in vivo and in vitro studies have determined that PCA has protective effects against the toxicity of natural and chemical toxicants. We searched these articles in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus with appropriate keywords from inception up to August 2023. Forty-nine studies were found about protective effects of PCA against drug toxicity, metal toxicity, toxins, chemical toxicants, and some other miscellaneous toxicants. PCA indicates these protective effects by suppression of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. PCA reduces reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) and enhances the level of antioxidant parameters mainly through the activation of the Nrf-2 signaling pathway. PCA also decreases the levels of inflammatory mediators via downregulating the TLR-4-mediated IKBKB/NF-κB and MAPK/Erk signaling pathways. In addition, PCA inhibits apoptosis by lowering the expression of Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 along with enhancing the level of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Further evaluation, especially in humans, is necessary to confirm PCA as a potential therapeutic approach to intervene in such toxicities.

Portulaca oleracea L seed extracts counteract diabetic nephropathy through SDF-1/IL10/PPARγ-mediated tuning of keap1/Nrf2 and NF-κB transcription in Sprague Dawley rats

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

While oxidative stress is the key player driving diabetic nephropathy (DN), firm glycemic control remains the pillar prophylactic measure. Purslane was extensively described as a potent hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agent owing to its rich content of antioxidants. Therefore, this report aimed to assess the renoprotective potentials of methanol (MO) and methylene chloride (MC) fixed oil extracts of purslane seeds in a diabetic nephropathy (DN) model.

METHODS

Purslane seeds were extracted using absolute methanol and methylene chloride, and type-1 diabetes was induced with a single 55 mg/kg dose of Streptozotocin (STZ) dissolved in 100 mmol/L citrate buffer (pH 4.5), and then diabetic animals were received MO, MC, for 42 consecutive days to compare their antidiabetic effect relative to the reference drug "Losartan". Renal functions and DN biomarkers were weekly assessed, and the relative expression of different oxido-inflammatory mediators was quantified in diabetic kidneys by RT-PCR. Data were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism 9.0.2.

RESULTS

The oral administration of MO and MC extracts (250 mg/kg/day) significantly ameliorated the body weight loss (P < 0.0001 / each), fasting blood glucose levels (FBG) (P < 0.0001 / each), urine volume (P < 0.0001 / each), as well as serum creatinine (P < 0.0001 / each), uric acid (P = 0.0022, 0.0052), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P = 0.0265, 0.0338); respectively, compared with the untreated diabetic rats. In addition, both extracts restored the effectuality of antioxidative machinery in diabetic kidneys as indicated by a significant reduction of ROS accumulation and lipid peroxidation; higher GSH content, and promoted activity of glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase antioxidant enzymes (P < 0.0001 / each). Histologically, both extracts alleviated the DN-structural alterations including the glomerular congestion and tubular degeneration, with MC-treated kidneys showing near to normal architecture. The transcription profiles of all treated kidneys revealed a significantly downregulated expression of TNF-α, IL-6, Keap1 and NF-κB genes, concomitant with a significant upregulation of SDF-1, IL-10, Nrf2, HO-1, and PPARγ gene expression (P < 0.0001 / all).

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the remarkable DN-prophylactic potentials of purslane extracts mediated by neutralizing the hyperglycemia-induced ROS accumulation, and circumventing the downstream inflammatory cascades, surpassing the reference angiotensin receptor blocker; i.e. Losartan.

A novel network pharmacology strategy to decode mechanism of Wuling Powder in treating liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease with hepatocyte necrosis and lesion. As one of the TCM formulas Wuling Powder (WLP) is widely used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. However, it's key functional components and action mechanism still remain unclear. We attempted to explore the Key Group of Effective Components (KGEC) of WLP in the treatment of Liver cirrhosis through integrative pharmacology combined with experiments.

METHODS

The components and potential target genes of WLP were extracted from published databases. A novel node importance calculation model considering both node control force and node bridging force is designed to construct the Function Response Space (FRS) and obtain key effector proteins. The genetic knapsack algorithm was employed to select KGEC. The effectiveness and reliability of KGEC were evaluated at the functional level by using gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Finally, the effectiveness and potential mechanism of KGEC were confirmed by CCK-8, qPCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

940 effective proteins were obtained in FRS. KEGG pathways and GO terms enrichments analysis suggested that effective proteins well reflect liver cirrhosis characteristics at the functional level. 29 components of WLP were defined as KGEC, which covered 100% of the targets of the effective proteins. Additionally, the pathways enriched for the KGEC targets accounted for 83.33% of the shared genes between the targets and the pathogenic genes enrichment pathways. Three components scopoletin, caryophyllene oxide, and hydroxyzinamic acid from KGEC were selected for in vivo verification. The qPCR results demonstrated that all three components significantly reduced the mRNA levels of COL1A1 in TGF-β1-induced liver cirrhosis model. Furthermore, the Western blot assay indicated that these components acted synergistically to target the NF-κB, AMPK/p38, cAMP, and PI3K/AKT pathways, thus inhibiting the progression of liver cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION

In summary, we have developed a new model that reveals the key components and potential mechanisms of WLP for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. This model provides a reference for the secondary development of WLP and offers a methodological strategy for studying TCM formulas.

Menadione and protocatechuic acid: A drug combination with antitumor effects in murine osteosarcoma cells

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor that has an abnormal expression of oncogenesis and tumor suppressors and causes dysregulation of various signaling pathways. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies for OS are needed to overcome the resistance of traditional treatments. This study evaluated the cytotoxic and anticancer effects of the association between menadione (MEN) and protocatechuic acid (PCA) in murine OS cells (UMR-106). The concentrations were 3.12 μM of isolated MEN, 500 μM of isolated PCA, and their associations. We performed cell viability assays, morphology modification analysis, cell migration by the wound-healing method, apoptosis by flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, gene expression of NOX by RT-qPCR, and degradation of MMP-2 and 9 by zymography. Our results showed that the association of MEN+PCA was more effective in OS cells than the compounds alone. The association decreased cell viability, delayed cell migration, and decreased the expression of NOX-2 and ROS. In addition, the MEN+PCA association induced a slight increase in the apoptotic process. In summary, the association can enhance the compound's antitumor effects and establish a higher selectivity for tumor cells, possibly caused by significant mitochondrial damage and antioxidant properties.

Observation of the neuroprotective efficacy of vitamin K in a streptozocin-induced diabetes model in chick embryos

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency and/or resistance. Vitamin K (VK) is a group of fat-soluble molecules, including naturally occurring vitamin K1 (phylloquinone). vitamin K2 (menaquinone), and synthetic vitamin K3 (menadione). Beyond coagulation, the health benefits of VK have been described to play different roles in both physiological and pathological processes such as inflammation, energy metabolism, neuroprotection, cellular growth, and survival. It was aimed to observe the antioxidant and/or neuroprotective activity of vitamin K1 in our model of chick embryo diabetic neuropathy (DN) induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Ninety White Leghorn, fertile and 0-day-old SPF (specific pathogen-free) eggs (57 ± 4 gr) were used in the study. Chick embryo blood brain tissues were taken for biochemical evaluation. Plasma insulin and glucose levels were measured. In addition, brain tissue total antioxidant level (TAS), total oxidant level (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured. Plasma glucose levels were higher in the STZ-treated groups and lower in the treatment groups. Plasma insulin levels were observed to be higher in STZ groups in groups treated with high VK. Low TAS, high MDA, TOS, and VEGF levels were recorded in brain tissue STZ groups. Low VEGF, TOS, and MDA levels were recorded in the group treated with the highest VK, while high TAS levels were observed. In our STZ-induced chick embryo diabetic neuropathy model, we observed that VK1 reduced oxidant damage by showing antioxidant properties or by modulating antioxidant enzymes.

Impact of protocatechuic acid on alleviation of pulmonary damage induced by cyclophosphamide targeting peroxisome proliferator activator receptor, silent information regulator type-1, and fork head box protein in rats

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a chemotherapeutic agent that causes pulmonary damage by generating free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pulmonary damage has a high mortality rate due to the severe inflammation and edema occurred in lung. PPARγ/Sirt 1 signaling has been shown to be cytoprotective effect against cellular inflammatory stress and oxidative injury. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a potent Sirt1 activator and exhibits antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties. The current study aims to investigate the therapeutic impacts of PCA against CP-induced pulmonary damage in rats. Rats were assigned randomly into 4 experimental groups. The control group was injected with a single i.p injection of saline. CP group was injected with a single i.p injection of CP (200 mg/kg). PCA groups were administered orally with PCA (50 and 100 mg/kg; p.o.) once daily for 10 consecutive days after CP injection. PCA treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the protein levels of MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation, NO and MPO along with a significant increase in GSH and catalase protein levels. Moreover, PCA downregulated anti-inflammatory markers as IL-17, NF-κB, IKBKB, COX-2, TNF-α, and PKC and upregulated cytoprotective defenses as PPARγ, and SIRT1. In addition, PCA administration ameliorated FoxO-1 elevation, increased Nrf2 gene expression, and reduced air alveoli emphysema, bronchiolar epithelium hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration induced by CP. PCA might represent a promising adjuvant to prevent pulmonary damage in patients receiving CP due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects with cytoprotective defenses.

Protocatechuic acid reverses myocardial infarction mediated by β-adrenergic agonist via regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, inflammatory, apoptotic, and fibrotic events

Myocardial infarction (MI) is an instant ischemic death of cardiomyocytes that remains a major global cause of mortalities. MI is accompanied by oxidative, inflammatory, apoptotic, and fibrotic insults. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a polyphenolic compound with various potent biological activities. In this study, we explored the possible cardioprotective role of PCA against isoproterenol (ISO)-mediated MI. Rats were either injected with ISO (85 mg/kg, subcutaneously) or pretreated with PCA (100 or 200 mg/kg, orally). PCA supplementation markedly normalized ISO-induced disturbed cardiac function markers (creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, and troponin T). Notably, PCA administration exerted remarkable increases in glutathione and its derived enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, as well as decreases in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels in the injured cardiac tissue. The molecular findings validated the augmented cellular antioxidative capacity by PCA via increasing the gene expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1. The cardioprotective efficacy of PCA extended to suppress cardiac inflammation as demonstrated by the decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and nuclear factor kappa B. Additionally, PCA prevented cardiomyocyte loss and fibrosis by decreasing Bax, caspase-3, transforming growth factor-β1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9, and enhancing B-cell lymphoma 2 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-3. The cardiac histological screening further confirmed the PCA's protective action. The obtained data recommend PCA as an alternative therapeutic agent to attenuate the molecular, biochemical, and histological alterations associated with MI development.

Agrimonia pilosa: A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review

Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., which belongs to Agrimonia and Rosaceae, is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It exhibits excellent medicinal properties and has been used to treat various diseases, such as tumors, trichomoniasis, vaginitis, diarrhea, and dysentery. Phytochemical studies have revealed that Agrimonia has over 100 secondary metabolites that can be categorized into six classes, i.e., flavonoids, isocoumarins, triterpenes, phloroglucinol derivatives, tannins, and organic acids. This review summarizes recently published literature on the chemical structures of 90 bioactive compounds that have been identified in A. pilosa and examines their pharmacological properties, including their antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties, as well as the potential development of parasitic resistance to these chemicals. This review highlights existing knowledge gap and serves as a basis for developing novel preparations of A. pilosa with medicinal value.

Protocatechuic acid abrogates oxidative insults, inflammation, and apoptosis in liver and kidney associated with monosodium glutamate intoxication in rats

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a commonly used flavor enhancer, has been reported to induce hepatic and renal dysfunctions. In this study, the palliative role of protocatechuic acid (PCA) in MSG-administered rats was elucidated. Adult male rats were assigned to four groups, namely control, MSG (4 g/kg), PCA (100 mg/kg), and the last group was co-administered MSG and PCA at aforementioned doses for 7 days. Results showed that MSG augmented the hepatic and renal functions markers as well as glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels. Moreover, marked increases in malondialdehyde levels accompanied by declines in glutathione levels and notable decreases in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were observed in MSG-treated group. The MSG-mediated oxidative stress was further confirmed by downregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene expression levels in both tissues. In addition, MSG enhanced the hepatorenal inflammation as witnessed by increased inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1b and tumor necrosis factor-α) and elevated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) levels. Further, significant increases in Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) levels together with decreases in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels were observed in MSG administration. Histopathological screening supported the biochemical and molecular findings. In contrast, co-treatment of rats with PCA resulted in remarkable enhancement of the antioxidant cellular capacity, suppression of inflammatory mediators, and apoptosis. These effects are possibly endorsed for activation of Nrf-2 and suppression of NF-kB signaling pathways. Collectively, addition of PCA counteracted MSG-induced hepatorenal injuries through modulation of oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic alterations.

Protocatechuic acid protects hepatocytes against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is a main cause of tissue damage and highly associated with incidence of human chronic diseases. Among the major target organs attacked by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the liver. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a phenolic compound found in green tea, acai oil and some mushroom species that possesses strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity and may have benefits as a natural phytochemical for prevention of human diseases. However, the protective effect of PCA on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress specifically in the liver has not yet been investigated. The current study aims to observe if PCA possesses protective activity against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 human liver cancer cells. Relative to untreated control cells, treatment of HepG2 cells with PCA reduced H₂O₂-induced cell death and mitigated H₂O₂-induced production of ROS; furthermore, it mitigated the H₂O₂-induced increase of caspase-3/7 enzyme activity, expression of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress genes including activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), serine/threonine-protein kinase/endoribonuclease inositol-requiring enzyme 1 α (IRE1α) and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). These findings indicate that PCA effectively protects hepatic cells from H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and cell death.

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Protocatechuic acid restored hydrogen peroxide-induced suppression of cell viability.

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Protocatechuic acid mitigated hydrogen peroxide-induced generation of reactive oxygen species.

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Protocatechuic acid mitigated hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Protocatechuic acid attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced septic lung injury in mice: The possible role through suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis

Here, we investigated the protective efficacy of protocatechuic acid (PCA) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic lung injury. Eighty-two male Balb/c mice were divided into six groups: control, PCA30 (30 mg/kg), LPS (10 mg/kg), PCA10-LPS, PCA20-LPS, and PCA30-LPS treated with 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg PCA, respectively, for seven days before intraperitoneal LPS injection. PCA pre-treatment, especially at higher dose, significantly reduced LPS-induced lung tissue injury as indicated by increased heat shock protein 70 and antioxidant molecules (reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) accompanied by lower oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde and nitric oxide). PCA administration decreased inflammatory mediators including myeloperoxidase, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB p65), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and prevented the development of apoptotic events in the lung tissue. At the molecular level, PCA downregulated mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase 2, C/EBP homologous protein, and high mobility group box1 in the lungs of all PCA-LPS treated mice. Thus, PCA-pre-treatment effectively counteracted sepsis-induced acute lung injury in vivo by promoting and antioxidant status, while inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Sepsis-mediated organ dysfunction and high mortality is aggravated by acute lung injury (ALI). Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are needed to encounter sepsis-mediated ALI. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a naturally occurring phenolic acid with various biological and pharmacological activities. PCA is abundant in edible plants including Allium cepa L., Oryza sativa L., Hibiscus sabdariffa, Prunus domestica L., and Eucommia ulmoides. In this investigation we studied the potential protective role of pure PCA (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) on LPS-mediated septic lung injury in mice through examining oxidative challenge, inflammatory response, apoptotic events and histopathological changes in addition to evaluating the levels and mRNA expression of heat shock protein 70, C/EBP homologous protein and high mobility group box1 in the lung tissue. The recorded results showed that PCA pre-administration was able to significantly abrogate the damages in the lung tissue associated septic response. This protective effect comes from its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities, suggesting that PCA may be applied to alleviate ALI associated with the development of sepsis.

Lysimachiae Herba Inhibits Inflammatory Reactions and Improves Lipopolysaccharide/D-Galactosamine-Induced Hepatic Injury

This study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of Lysimachiae Herba ethanolic extract (LHE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and in a LPS/D-galactosamine (GalN)-induced acute hepatitis mouse model. Then, the production of inflammatory mediators and the activation of related pathways in macrophages were explored. Finally, we assessed the serum aminotransferase levels and the expression of inflammatory/antioxidant molecules in liver tissues in mice. Results revealed that LHE treatment significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Molecular data showed that LHE remarkably increased the activities of the antioxidant pathway and inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase as well as the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-κB induced by LPS. Furthermore, it prevented acute liver damage caused by LPS/D-GalN-induced hepatitis by inhibiting aminotransferase levels and histopathological changes in mice. Moreover, treatment with LHE significantly inhibited the activation of inflammatory pathways and increased the expression of antioxidant molecules including heme oxygenase-1/Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. In conclusion, LHE has potent anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in LPS-stimulated macrophages and the LPS/D-GalN-induced acute hepatitis mouse model. Thus, it can be a treatment option for inflammation, hepatitis, and liver injury.

Microbial Metabolites of Flavan-3-Ols and Their Biological Activity

Flavan-3-ols are the main contributors to polyphenol intake. Many varying beneficial health effects in humans have been attributed to them, including the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which these flavonoids could exert beneficial functions are not entirely known. Several in vitro studies and in vivo animal models have tried to elucidate the role of the specific colonic metabolites on the health properties that are attributed to the parent compounds since a larger number of ingested flavan-3-ols reach the colon and undergo there microbial metabolism. Many new studies about this topic have been performed over the last few years and, to the best of our knowledge, no scientific literature review regarding the bioactivity of all identified microbial metabolites of flavan-3-ols has been recently published. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present the current status of knowledge on the potential health benefits of flavan-3-ol microbial metabolites in humans while using the latest evidence on their biological activity.

Caffeic acid abrogates 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-induced hepatotoxicity by upregulating nuclear erythroid-related factor 2 and downregulating nuclear factor-kappa B

1,3-dichloro-2-propanol is a food-borne contaminant reported to cause liver injury. In this study, we evaluated the protective influence of caffeic acid on 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Rats were randomized into five groups (A-E). Rats received distilled water or caffeic acid (10 or 20 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days. In addition, rats were challenged with 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol on day 7. Caffeic acid prevented 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-mediated alterations in alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, albumin and total bilirubin in the serum of rats. Furthermore, caffeic acid lowered superoxide ion, hydrogen peroxide and cytochrome P2E1 while increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase in the liver of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-treated rats. Caffeic acid raised the levels of nuclear erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), protein kinase A and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Caffeic acid pretreatment annulled 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-mediated alterations in the oxidative stress biomarkers; caspase-3, glutathione, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and fragmented DNA, in the liver of rats. Contrastingly, caffeic acid lowered 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-mediated increase in the levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6. In addition, caffeic acid preserved the morphological features of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-treated rats. Results from this study revealed that caffeic acid protects against 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-induced hepatotoxicity by enhancing the cytoprotective enzymes through Nrf-2 while lowering inflammation through NF-κB.

Antidiabetic activity-guided isolation of gallic and protocatechuic acids from Hibiscus sabdariffa calyxes

We isolated and identified gallic and protocatechuic acids as the antidiabetic principles in Hibiscus sabdariffa using solvent extraction, column chromatographic fractionation, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Ethylacetate fraction of the aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ of 411.73 and 433.93 μg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, fractions I and II obtained from column chromatography inhibited α-amylase with IC₅₀ of 27.03 and 20.12 μg/ml, and α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ of 24.30 and 22.29 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, the principles reduced the serum glucose and lipid peroxide levels of diabetic rats and with an improvement in the rat lipid profiles and antioxidant defenses. Fractions I and II were identified as protocatechuic acid and gallic acid, respectively, using ¹ H and ¹³ C NMR. Protein-ligand docking showed that these compounds form multiple favorable interactions with the active-site residues of the two glycosidases. Overall, protocatechuic and gallic acids emerge as natural antidiabetic agents. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Hibiscus sabdariffa (Zoborodo) is a refreshment drink for ceremonial gatherings in Nigeria. Also, its pharmacological use includes diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and hepatoprotection. The consumption of this food drink could improve diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and liver disease. Furthermore, the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase could prevent diabetic complications associated with postprandial glucose. Developing the extract of H. sabdariffa calyx as food supplement could be used in managing diabetes and its associated complications such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.

Protective Influence of Phyllanthus Muellarianus on Ciprofloxacin-Induced Neurotoxicity in Male Rats

Phyllanthus muellarianus (Kuntze) Exell. (Euphorbiacea) leaves are widely used in the treatment of neurological disorders in Nigeria. We investigated the protective effect of aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus muellarianus on ciprofloxacin neurotoxicity in male rats. Control rats (Group A) received distilled water, Groups C-E According to the Animal grouping and treatment section, Group B did not receive P. muellarianus> rats were administered 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight P. muellarianus, respectively, and Group F rats received 200 mg/kg body weight valproate orally for 7 days. In addition, groups B-F rats were orally administered ciprofloxacin for 7 days. Motor coordination and motor function were assessed using narrow beam and landing foot splay distance. The levels of neurotransmitter and oxidative stress biomarkers were also determined. Aqueous leaf extract of P. muellarianus significantly attenuated ciprofloxacin-mediated increases in narrow beam, landing foot splay distance, and gait scores. Ciprofloxacin-mediated depletion of acetylcholine and dopamine in the brains of rats was significantly annulled by P. muellarianus. Furthermore, the extract significantly reversed ciprofloxacin-mediated increases in acetylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase A, and monoamine oxidase B by 73.13%, 71.52%, and 86.54%, respectively. The altered biomarkers of oxidative stress were significantly reversed by P. muellarianus. Overall, the results of this study show that P. muellarianus reversed ciprofloxacin-induced neurotoxicity by restoring ciprofloxacin-mediated alterations in acetylcholine, dopamine, acetylcholinesterase, monoaminergic enzymes, and oxidative stress biomarkers in the brains of rats.