Acute and sub-acute toxicity evaluation of the root extract of Rheum turkestanicum Janisch

Research progress on the natural products in the intervention of myocardial infarction

Coronary heart disease is a prevalent cardiovascular ailment globally, with myocardial infarction (MI) being one of its most severe manifestations. The morbidity and mortality of MI are escalating, showing an increasing trend among younger, highly educated individuals, thereby posing a serious threat to public health. Currently, thrombolysis, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass grafting are the primary clinical treatments for MI. Although these methods significantly reduce patient mortality, complications often result in poor prognoses. Due to limitations in chemical synthetic drug research, the focus has shifted towards developing herbs based on natural substances. Natural medicines represent a novel approach for safer and more effective MI management and treatment. They can control multiple pathogenic variables by targeting various pathways and systems. This paper investigates the molecular mechanisms of MI and evaluates the application of natural products and medicinal plants in MI treatment over the past 5 years, demonstrating their specific good therapeutic potential and superior tolerance. These natural therapies have been shown to mitigate myocardial cell damage caused by MI through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, myocardial fibrosis, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitophagy, and pyroptosis. This review offers the latest insights into the application of natural products and medicinal plants in MI treatment, elucidating their mechanisms of action and serving as an important reference for MI prevention.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity assessment of the standardized extract of Sanguisorba minor in vivo

Although Sanguisorba minor has been used as herbal medicine, no study has ever examined its potential toxicity. This study investigated acute and subacute toxicities of S. minor hydroalcoholic extract (SE). In the acute toxicity test, a single oral dose (300, 2,000, and 3,000 mg/kg) of SE was given to mice. The oral administration of SE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg for 4 weeks) was performed to evaluate subacute toxicity. After the treatments, neurobehavioral, histopathology, hematological, and biochemical parameters were monitored. In vitro cytotoxicity was also assessed. Moreover, high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint was done for the standardization of SE. The no-observed-adverse-effect level of SE was up to 2,000 mg/kg, and the LD₅₀ of the prepared extract was over 3,000 mg/kg. The rats exposed to the extract did not show any marked change in their body weight. The extract at used doses did not affect neuromuscular coordination. According to the hematological, biochemical, and histological examinations, no significant treatment-related adverse effect of the extract was observed, even at 400 mg/kg. Only 48 h exposure to 400 μg/mL of SE reduced the viability of PC12 cells. The findings revealed that this plant could be well-tolerated, regarded safe, and used as herbal medicine.

Effects of the Chinese herbal medicine Hong Huang decoction, on myocardial injury in breast cancer patients who underwent anthracycline-based chemotherapy

Objective

To assess the effects of Hong Huang Decoction (HHD), a Chinese herbal medicine, on myocardial injury in breast cancer patients who underwent anthracycline (ANT)-based chemotherapy.

Methods

A total of 51 patients with breast cancer who underwent an ANT-based chemotherapy program and met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were allocated to the treatment or placebo groups using a random number generation process. Patients in the treatment group received liquid HHD twice a day. Treatment was given from 1 day prior to chemotherapy up to the end of chemotherapy (after 6 months). Participants in the placebo group received a placebo over the same schedule. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), diagnostic markers of acute myocardial infarction [e.g., lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)], nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines [e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and human C-reactive protein (CRP)], and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), were outcome measures assessed before chemotherapy, 3 and 6 months after chemotherapy.

Results

Compared to the placebo group, the GLS value was significantly higher in the treatment group (19.95 ± 1.16 vs. 19.06 ± 1.64, P ≤ 0.001). Significant differences were also noted for levels of SOD (689.71 ± 203.60 vs. 807.88 ± 182.10, P < 0.05), IL-6 (58.04 ± 22.06 vs. 194.20 ± 40.14, P ≤ 0.001), IL-10 (237.90 ± 94.98 vs. 68.81 ± 32.92, P ≤ 0.001), NO (75.05 ± 26.39 vs. 55.83 ± 19.37, P ≤ 0.005), and TNF-α (301.80 ± 134.20 vs. 680.30 ± 199.60, P ≤ 0.001) in the patients before chemotherapy compared to 6 months after initiating chemotherapy.

Conclusion

HHD regulated the levels of IL-6, IL-10, SOD, NO, and TNF-α. The results demonstrated that GLS is a better indicator of early myocardial injury compared to LVEF, and HHD could modulate oxidative stress to protect against ANT cardio toxicity.

Clinical trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier ChiCTR1900022394. Date of registration: 2019-04-09.

Cardioprotective Effect of Rheum turkestanicum Against Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity in Rats

Background: Doxorubicin as an anti-cancer drug causes cardiotoxicity, limiting its tolerability and use. The mechanism of toxicity is due to free radical production and cardiomyocytes injury. This research evaluated Rheum turkestanicum (R.turkestanicum) extract against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity due to its considerable in vitro antioxidant activity. Methods: Male Wistar rats received 2.5 mg/kg doxorubicin intraperitoneally every other day for 2 weeks to create an accumulative dose. R. turkestanicum was administrated at a dose of 100 and 300 mg/kg intraperitoneally from the second week for 7 days. On the 15th day, the animals were anesthetized and blood was collected from cardiac tissue for evaluation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cardiac muscle creatinine kinase (CK-MB), troponin T (cTn-T), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and B-type natriuretic peptide brain natriuretic peptide. A cardiac homogenate was also collected to determine superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase Catalase Activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and thiols. Histopathology was also performed. Results: Doxorubicin increased all cardiac enzymes and malondialdehyde, correlating with a reduction in SOD, catalase, and thiols. Histopathology revealed extracellular edema, moderate congestion, and hemorrhage of foci. In contrast, administration of R. turkestanicum ameliorated these doxorubicin-induced pathophysiological changes. Conclusion: This study revealed that the extract ameliorated doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity via modulation of oxidative stress-related pathways. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of R. turkestanicum indicated several components with potent pharmacological properties.

Toxicological evaluation of ethanolic extract of leaves from Doliocarpus dentatus in Swiss mice

Doliocarpus dentatus (Dilleniaceae) has been used in folk medicine to treat inflammation and pain; however, studies evaluating its toxicity potential, as well as its effects on anxiety and depression, are scarce. This study investigated the toxicological profile of an ethanolic extract from leaves of D. dentatus (EEDd), and its effects on anxiety and depression models in mice. Male and female mice received either a single dose (500, 1000 or 2000 mg/kg) or repeated doses (75, 150 or 300 mg/kg) of EEDd by oral gavage. During the subacute toxicity assay, behavioral tests were performed on days 4, 14, 21 and 28. No evidence of toxicity was observed in the animals in both acute and subacute tests. However, males treated with the highest dose presented a reduction in the absolute weight of the kidney, an elevation in the AST levels, in addition to an alteration in the urea levels. The treatment did not affect other biochemical parameters, and did not induce any depressive-like behavior. EEDd exhibited low toxicity after single and repeated exposures. Since some analyzed parameters were compromised, further toxicity studies should be carried out.

Application of Response Surface Methodology for Optimizing the Therapeutic Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles Biosynthesized from Aspergillus niger

In this study, the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Aspergillus niger (A/ZnO-NPs) is described. These particles have been characterized by UV-Vis spectrum analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. To use this biosynthesized nanoparticle as an antiproliferative and antimicrobial agent, the IC₅₀ value against the breast cancer cell line and inhibition zone against Escherichia coli were used to optimize the effect of two processing factors including dose of filtrate fungi cell and temperature. The biosynthesized A/ZnO-NPs had an absorbance band at 320 nm and spherical shapes. The mean particles size was 35 nm. RSM (response surface methodology) was utilized to investigate the outcome responses. The Model F-value of 12.21 and 7.29 implies that the model was significant for both responses. The contour plot against inhibition zone for temperature and dose showed that if the dose increases from 3.8 to 17.2 µg/mL, the inhibition zone increases up to 35 mm. As an alternative to chemical and/or physical methods, biosynthesizing zinc oxide NPs through fungi extracts can serve as a more facile and eco-friendly strategy. Additionally, for optimization of the processes, the outcome responses in the biomedical available test can be used in the synthesis of ZnO-NPs that are utilized for large-scale production in various medical applications.

Treatment Efficacy of Chuang Ling Ye, a Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Compound, on Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

To explore whether Chuang Ling Ye (CLY), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine compound, could improve the treatment of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) via decreasing inflammatory response.

Methods

Herein, 40 patients with IGM who had wounds requiring dressing change were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: the CLY group and the control group. The size of the neoplasm and pain score of patients were followed-up for 4 weeks. Local tissues were taken during dressing change and examined by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The levels of inflammatory markers, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-6, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured.

Results

After treatment, the size of the neoplasm in the CLY group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (14.28 cm ± 8.96 cm vs. 21.14 cm ± 0.12 cm, P=0.038), and the pain scores were markedly reduced (P=0.004). Besides, CLY downregulated the expression levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α.

Conclusion

External use of CLY could reduce the neoplasm of IGM by inhibiting local inflammation. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1800017744.

Pharmacological properties of Rheum turkestanicum Janisch

Medicinal herbs have been increasingly used worldwide for diseases prevention and treatment. Rheum turkestanicum Janisch. is a perennial shrub of the Polygonaceae family. Genus Rheum includes more than 60 species growing around the world which are used in foods and traditional medicines. R. turkestanicum is believed to be able to improve different kinds of disorders including diabetes, hypertension, jaundice and cancer. In recent years, this medicinal plant has been a subject of many experimental studies to document its health-beneficial properties. These studies have revealed antidiabetic, anticancer, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, and hepatoprotective properties of R. turkestanicum. The presence of flavonoids (e.g. epicatechin and quercetin) and anthraquinones (e.g. chrysophanol, physcion, and emodin) in R. turkestanicum justifies its health-beneficial effects. Nevertheless, possible therapeutic applications and safety of this plant still need to be elucidated in further clinical studies.