Protective effects of apigenin and myricetin against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice

Geniposidic Acid Attenuates Chronic Tubulointerstitial Nephropathy Through Regulation of the NF-ƙB/Nrf2 Pathway Via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling

Renal fibrosis is an outcome of chronic kidney disease, independent of the underlying etiology. Renal fibrosis is caused primarily by oxidative stress and inflammation. We identified the components of Plantaginis semen and elucidated their anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The renoprotective components and underlying molecular mechanisms of P. semen were investigated in rats with adenine-induced chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy (TIN) and in idole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-stimulated NRK-52E cells. Acetate and n-butanol extracts were found to be the bioactive fractions of P. semen. A total of 65 compounds including geniposidic acid (GPA), apigenin (APG), and acteoside (ATS) were isolated and identified. Among the seven main extract components, treatment with GPA, APG, and ATS reduced the serum levels of creatinine and urea in TIN rats. Mechanistically, GPA ameliorated renal fibrosis through repressing aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling and regulating redox signaling including inhibiting proinflammatory nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ƙB) and its target gene products as well as activated antioxidative nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream target gene products in both TIN rats and IAA-stimulated NRK-52E cells. The inhibitory effect of GPA on AHR, NF-Ƙb, and Nrf2 signaling were partially abolished in IAA-stimulated NRK-52E cells treated with CH223191 compared with untreated IAA-stimulated NRK-52E cells. These data demonstrated that GPA alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation partly by suppressing AHR signaling.

Neuroprotective Effects of Myricetin on PTZ-Induced Seizures in Mice: Evaluation of Oxidation, Neuroinflammation and Metabolism, and Apoptosis in the Hippocampus

Epilepsy is one of the most frequently diagnosed neurological diseases, but the neurobiological basis of the disease remains poorly understood. Immunophenotyping CBA mice brain (NeuN and caspase-8) in parallel with hippocampal neurons' functional status and survival rate assessment during acute epileptic PTZ-induced seizures is of particular interest. The aims of this study were to investigate the involvement of NeuN and caspase-8 in cell cycle regulation and the death of hippocampal neurons during PTZ-induced seizures in mice and to assess the therapeutic efficacy of Myricetin in the aforementioned experimental settings. Male CBA mice (n = 340) were divided into six groups to investigate the neuroprotective and antiepileptic effects of Myricetin and Valproic Acid in the PTZ-induced seizure model. Group I (control, n = 20) received a single intraperitoneal injection of NaCl 0.9% solution. Group II (PTZ only, n = 110) received a single intraperitoneal 45 mg/kg PTZ to induce seizures. Group III (Myricetin + PTZ, n = 90) was administered Myricetin orally at 200 mg/kg for 5 days, followed by a PTZ injection. Group IV (Valproic Acid + PTZ, n = 80) received intraperitoneal Valproic Acid at 100 mg/kg for 5 days, followed by PTZ. Group V (Myricetin + NaCl, n = 20) received Myricetin and NaCl. Group VI (Valproic Acid + NaCl, n = 20) received Valproic Acid and NaCl. Seizure severity was monitored using the modified Racine scale. Behavioral assessments included sensorimotor function tests, motor coordination using the rotarod test, and cognitive function via the Morris water maze. Brain tissues were collected and analyzed for oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH). Blood samples were analyzed for cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). Histological studies involved H&E and Nissl staining to evaluate general histopathology and neuronal density. Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted using antibodies against NeuN and caspase-8 to assess neuronal cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. PTZ-induced seizures caused significant oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to neuronal damage. Biochemical analyses showed elevated levels of MDA, SOD, GSH, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluations revealed a significant increase in caspase-8-positive neurons and a decrease in NeuN-positive neurons in the hippocampus and other brain regions, correlating with seizure severity. Myricetin and Valproic Acid treatments reduced oxidative stress markers and neuronal damage. Both treatments resulted in moderate neuronal protection, with fewer damaged neurons observed in the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, and other brain areas compared to the PTZ-only group. Summarizing, Myricetin administration showed promising neuroprotective effects. It significantly reduced oxidative stress markers, including MDA, and restored antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and GSH), suggesting its antioxidative potential. Myricetin also effectively attenuated the elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, indicating strong anti-inflammatory properties. Behavioral assessments revealed that Myricetin improved cognitive and motor functions in PTZ-treated mice, with notable reductions in seizure severity and mortality rates. Histological analyses supported these behavioral findings, with Nissl staining showing reduced neuronal damage and NeuN staining indicating better preservation of neuronal integrity in Myricetin-treated groups. Additionally, caspase-8 staining suggested a significant reduction in neuronal apoptosis.

Apigenin: A Bioflavonoid with a Promising Role in Disease Prevention and Treatment

Apigenin is a powerful flavone compound found in numerous fruits and vegetables, and it offers numerous health-promoting benefits. Many studies have evidenced that this compound has a potential role as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound, making it a promising candidate for reducing the risk of pathogenesis. It has also been found to positively affect various systems in the body, such as the respiratory, digestive, immune, and reproductive systems. Apigenin is effective in treating liver, lung, heart, kidney, neurological diseases, diabetes, and maintaining good oral and skin health. Multiple studies have reported that this compound is capable of suppressing various types of cancer through the induction of apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest, suppressing cell migration and invasion, reduction of inflammation, and inhibiting angiogenesis. When used in combination with other drugs, apigenin increases their efficacy, reduces the risk of side effects, and improves the response to chemotherapy. This review broadly analyzes apigenin's potential in disease management by modulating various biological activities. In addition, this review also described apigenin's interaction with other compounds or drugs and the potential role of nanoformulation in different pathogeneses. Further extensive research is needed to explore the mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy of this compound in disease prevention and treatment.

The Nephroprotective Activity of Boesenbergia Rotunda Rhizome by Reducing Creatinine, Urea Nitrogen, Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase, and Malondialdehyde Levels in the Blood and Attenuating the Expression of Havcr1 (KIM-1), Lcn2 (NGAL), Casp3, and Casp7 Genes in the Kidney Cortex of Cisplatin-Induced Sprague-Dawley Rats

Background

Cisplatin chemotherapy induces nephrotoxicity by producing reactive oxygen species, hence, discovering add-on nephroprotective drugs for patients with cancer is challenging. Boesenbergia rotunda has been reported for its antioxidant properties.

Purpose

This study aims to explore the nephroprotective mechanism of the ethanol extract of Boesenbergia rotunda rhizome (EEBR) in cisplatin-induced rats.

Methods

The rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups: the normal control (treated with saline); the negative control (cisplatin-induced without any treatment); the positive control (treated with quercetin 50 mg/kg BW); and 3 treatment EEBR (125 mg/kg BW; 250 mg/kg BW; 500 mg/kg BW) groups for 10 days. The % relative organ weight, kidney histopathology, and nephrotoxicity biomarkers expression were evaluated.

Results

EEBR decreased creatinine, urea nitrogen, glutamic pyruvate transaminase, and malondialdehyde levels in the blood of cisplatin-induced rats. An insignificant increase in GOT was observed in rats treated with the highest dose of EEBR. EEBR did not significantly alter the BW and the % kidney relative weight. An abnormal shape of the Bowman capsule is observed in the negative control group. EEBR reduced the expression of Havcr1 (KIM-1), Lcn2 (NGAL), Casp3, and Casp7 genes in rats' kidneys.

Conclusion

Boesenbergia rotunda could be considered a potential candidate for add-on therapy in cisplatin-treated patients, but further studies are needed to verify its efficacy and safety.

Optimization of Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) Parameters for Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Moringa oleifera Leaves and Bioactivity Assessment

Moringa oleifera leaves are rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) stands out as a promising technique for effectively extracting valuable compounds from natural sources. In this study, we aimed to optimize PLE parameters, such as temperature, extraction duration, and pressure, to maximize bioactive compound (polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid) yield from M. oleifera leaves and evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. According to the outcomes of this research, the maximum achieved total polyphenol content was 24.10 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of dry weight (dw), and the total flavonoid content was increased up to 19.89 mg rutin equivalents (RtE)/g dw. Moreover, after HPLC-DAD analysis, neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids, catechin and epicatechin, rutin, and narirutin were identified and quantified. As far as the optimum ascorbic acid content is concerned, it was found to be 4.77 mg/g dw. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by three different methods: ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the DPPH method, and the anti-hydrogen peroxide activity (AHPA) method, resulting in 124.29 μmol ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g dw, 131.28 μmol AAE/g dw, and 229.38 μmol AAE/g dw values, respectively. Lastly, the albumin denaturation inhibition was found to be 37.54%. These findings underscore the potential of PLE as an efficient extraction method for preparing extracts from M. oleifera leaves with the maximum content of bioactive compounds.

Myricetin, a natural inhibitor of CD147, increases sensitivity of cisplatin in ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecological tumor, but it currently lacks effective therapeutic targets. CD147, which is overexpressed in OC, plays a crucial role in promoting malignant progression and is associated with poor prognosis in patients. Therefore, CD147 has been identified as a potential therapeutic target. However, there is a limited amount of research on the development of CD147 inhibitors.

METHODS

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay and virtual molecular docking analysis were performed to identify potential natural compounds targeting CD147. The anti‑tumor effects of myricetin were evaluated using various assays, including CCK8, Alkaline comet, immunofluorescence and xenograft mouse models. The underlying mechanism was investigated through western blot analysis and lentivirus short hairpin RNA (LV-shRNA) transfection.

RESULTS

Myricetin, a flavonoid commonly found in plants, was discovered to be a potent inhibitor of CD147. Our findings demonstrated that myricetin exhibited a strong affinity for CD147 and down-regulated the protein level of CD147 by facilitating its proteasome-dependent degradation. Additionally, we observed synergistic antitumor effects of myricetin and cisplatin both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, myricetin suppressed the expression of FOXM1 and its downstream DNA damage response (DDR) genes E×O1and BRIP1, thereby enhancing the DDR induced by cisplatin.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate that myricetin, a natural inhibitor of CD147, may have clinical utility in the treatment of OC due to its ability to increase genomic toxicity when combined with cisplatin.

Identification of the chemical composition of distiller's grain polyphenols and their effects on the fecal microbial community structure

Distiller grains are the main by-products of Baijiu production and are usually discarded, ignoring their abundant functional phytochemicals. The free and bound polyphenols from distiller grains were extracted and their potential effect on modulating fecal microbiota was investigated using in vitro fecal fermentation. The results showed that 34 polyphenols were quantified from distiller grains. The antioxidant activity was positively correlated with quercetin, myricetin, epicatechin, and naringenin. The abundance of Bifidobacterium, Ruminobacterium, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and butyrate-producing bacteria was enhanced by distiller's grain polyphenols by approximately 10.66-, 6.39-, 7.83-, 2.59-, and 7.74-fold, respectively. Moreover, the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially acetic, butyric, and propionic acid, was promoted (increased 1.99-, 1.71-, and 1.34-fold, respectively). Correlated analysis revealed quercetin, daidzein, and kaempferol as the key polyphenols by analyzing the effects on gut microbiota and SCFAs. This study could provide a reference for converting distiller grains into high-nutrient functional food ingredients and feeds.

Resources for Human Health from the Plant Kingdom: The Potential Role of the Flavonoid Apigenin in Cancer Counteraction

Apigenin is one of the most widespread flavonoids in the plant kingdom. For centuries, apigenin-containing plant preparations have been used in traditional medicines to treat diseases that have an inflammatory and/or degenerative component. In the 1980s, apigenin was proposed to interfere with the process of carcinogenesis. Since then, more and more evidence has demonstrated its anticancer efficacy, both in vitro and in vivo. Apigenin has been shown to target signaling pathways involved in the development and progression of cancer, such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, JAK/STAT, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, and to modulate different hallmarks of cancer, such as cell proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis, invasion, and cell migration. Furthermore, apigenin modulates PD1/PD-L1 expression in cancer/T killer cells and regulates the percentage of T killer and T regulatory cells. Recently, apigenin has been studied for its synergic and additive effects when combined with chemotherapy, minimizing the side effects. Unfortunately, its low bioavailability and high permeability limit its therapeutic applications. Based on micro- and nanoformulations that enhance the physical stability and drug-loading capacity of apigenin and increase the bioavailability of apigenin, novel drug-delivery systems have been investigated to improve its solubility.

Myricetin: a potential plant-derived anticancer bioactive compound-an updated overview

The globe is currently confronting a global fight against the deadliest cancer sickness. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are among cancer treatment options. Still, these treatments can induce patient side effects, including recurrence, multidrug resistance, fever, and weakness. As a result, the scientific community is always working on natural phytochemical substances. Numerous phytochemical compounds, including taxol analogues, vinca alkaloids such as vincristine and vinblastine, and podophyllotoxin analogues, are currently undergoing testing and have shown promising results against a number of the deadliest diseases, as well as considerable advantages due to their safety and low cost. According to research, secondary plant metabolites such as myricetin, a flavonoid in berries, herbs, and walnuts, have emerged as valuable bio-agents for cancer prevention. Myricetin and its derivatives have antiinflammatory, anticancer, apoptosis-inducing, and anticarcinogenic properties and can prevent cancer cell proliferation. Multiple studies have found that myricetin has anticancer characteristics in various malignancies, including colon, breast, prostate, bladder, and pancreatic cancers. Current knowledge of the anticancer effects of myricetin reveals its promise as a potentially bioactive chemical produced from plants for the prevention and treatment of cancer. This review aimed to study the numerous bioactivities, mode of action, and modification of several cellular processes that myricetin possesses to impede the spread of cancer cells. This review also addresses the challenges and future prospects of using myricetin as a anticancer drug.

The ameliorative effect of Primula vulgaris on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and quantification of its phenolic components using LC-ESI-MS/MS

Cisplatin (CDDP) is an important chemotherapeutic agent, accumulation of which in kidney tissue causes nephrotoxicity and renal failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time in the literature, the protective effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extract of Primula vulgaris leaf (PVE) against CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The PVE content was characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nephrotoxicity was induced with a single dose of CDDP (7.5 mg/kg). Thirty female Wistar-Albino rats were divided into five groups (control, DMSO, CDDP (7.5 mg/kg), CDDP + PVE (25 mg/kg), and CDDP + PVE (50 mg/kg)). Biochemical and histopathological analyses were then performed. Rutin, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid and protocatechuic acid were identified as major components of PVE. Total antioxidant status and glutathione (GSH) values increased significantly in the serum samples from the treatment group compared to the CDDP group, while blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), total oxidant status, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) values decreased significantly. GSH levels increased significantly in the treatment group compared to the CDDP group, while TNF-α, caspase-3, 8-OHdG, MDA levels and damage scores decreased significantly. In conclusion, PVE exhibited strong protective effects through its anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities against nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage caused by CDDP in rats.

Therapeutic potential and protection enhancement of mesenchymal stem cell against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity using hyaluronic acid-chitosan nanoparticles as an adjuvant

A newly synthesized nanoplatform of hyaluronic acid and chitosan nanoparticles (HA/CNPs) was applied to improve the therapeutic efficacy and protection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) against cisplatin (CDDP)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. CDDP administration causes significant increases in levels of serum creatinine (SCr), urea, and KIM-1 coupled with significant albumin level falls, as indicative of acute renal dysfunction. Moreover, the level of the antioxidant enzyme (GSH) was significantly decreased, while the levels of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and inflammatory (IL-6) and apoptotic (caspase-3) markers were significantly increased, indicating a decline in the kidney's antioxidant defense and increased inflammation. In contrast, when rats were pre-treated with either MSCs or MSCs-HA/CNPs before receiving CDDP, the levels of SCr, urea, KIM-1, MDA, IL-6, and caspase-3 were significantly decreased with simultaneous significant rises in GSH and albumin, impelling a great improvement in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defenses of the kidney as well as its functions. Intriguingly, MSCs-HA/CNPs were more effective against caspase-3 than MSCs alone, revealing the high anti-apoptotic capability of HA/CNPs. This finding suggests that HA/CNPs could effectively protect MSCs from oxidative stress and apoptosis and thus increase their stability and longevity.

Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Investigation of Cardioprotective Effects of Myricetin after 1-Week High-Intensity Exercise

Cardiovascular adverse effects caused by high-intensity exercise (HIE) have become a public health problem of widespread concern. The therapeutic effect and metabolic regulation mechanism of myricetin, a phytochemical with potential therapeutic effects, have rarely been studied. In this study, we established mice models of different doses of myricetin intervention with 1 week of HIE after intervention. Cardiac function tests, serology, and pathological examinations were used to evaluate the protective effect of myricetin on the myocardium. The possible therapeutic targets of myricetin were obtained using an integrated analysis of metabolomics and network pharmacology and verified using molecular docking and RT-qPCR experiments. Different concentrations of myricetin improved cardiac function, significantly reduced the levels of myocardial injury markers, alleviated myocardial ultrastructural damage, reduced the area of ischemia/hypoxia, and increased the content of CX43. We obtained the potential targets and regulated metabolic network of myricetin by combined network pharmacology and metabolomics analysis and validated them by molecular docking and RT-PCR. In conclusion, our findings suggest that myricetin exerts anti-cardiac injury effects of HIE through the downregulation of PTGS2 and MAOB and the upregulation of MAP2K1 and EGFR while regulating the complicated myocardial metabolic network.

Bee Pollen as Functional Food: Insights into Its Composition and Therapeutic Properties

Bee pollen is a hive product made up of flower pollen grains, nectar, and bee salivary secretions that beekeepers can collect without damaging the hive. Bee pollen, also called bee-collected pollen, contains a wide range of nutritious elements, including proteins, carbs, lipids, and dietary fibers, as well as bioactive micronutrients including vitamins, minerals, phenolic, and volatile compounds. Because of this composition of high quality, this product has been gaining prominence as a functional food, and studies have been conducted to show and establish its therapeutic potential for medical and food applications. In this context, this work aimed to provide a meticulous summary of the most relevant data about bee pollen, its composition—especially the phenolic compounds—and its biological and/or therapeutic properties as well as the involved molecular pathways.

Flavonoids of Haloxylon salicornicum (Rimth) prevent cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, Nrf2, and SIRT1

Cisplatin (CIS) is an effective chemotherapeutic drug used for the treatment of many types of cancers, but its use is associated with adverse effects. Nephrotoxicity is a serious side effect of CIS and limits its therapeutic utility. Haloxylon salicornicum is a desert shrub used traditionally in the treatment of inflammatory disorders, but neither its flavonoid content nor its protective efficacy against CIS nephrotoxicity has been investigated. In this study, seven flavonoids were isolated from H. salicornicum methanolic extract (HSE) and showed in silico binding affinity with NF-κB, Keap1, and SIRT1. The protective effect of HSE against CIS nephrotoxicity was investigated. Rats received HSE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) for 14 days followed by a single injection of CIS. The drug increased Kim-1, BUN, and creatinine and caused multiple histopathological changes. CIS-administered rats showed an increase in renal ROS, MDA, NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB p65. HSE prevented tissue injury, and diminished ROS, NF-κB, and inflammatory mediators. HSE enhanced antioxidants and Bcl-2 and downregulated pro-apoptosis markers. These effects were associated with downregulation of Keap1 and microRNA-34a, and upregulation of SIRT1 and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. In conclusion, H. salicornicum is rich in flavonoids, and its extract prevented oxidative stress, inflammation, and kidney injury, and modulated Nrf2/HO-1 and SIRT1 signaling in CIS-treated rats.

An Update on Phytochemicals in Redox Homeostasis: “Virtuous or Evil” in Cancer Chemoprevention?

Redox homeostasis, a dynamic process ensuring a balance between cellular oxidizing and reducing reactions, is crucial for maintaining healthy cellular physiology and regulating many biological processes, requiring continuous monitoring and fine-tuning. Reactive species play a critical role in intra/intercellular signaling, and each cell has a specific system guarding cellular redox homeostasis. ROS signaling and oxidative stress are involved in cancer initiation and progression. However, the generation of reactive species beyond the threshold level inside the tumor microenvironment is considered one of the therapeutic approaches. Various studies have shown that some phytochemicals can target the redox homeostasis of the tumor microenvironment. Recent advances have focused on developing and introducing phytochemical interventions as favorable therapeutic options against cancer. However, studies have also suggested the “virtuous” and “evil” impacts of phytochemicals. Some phytochemicals enhance therapeutic efficacy by promoting intracellular oxidant accumulation. However, under certain conditions, some phytochemicals may harm the cellular microenvironment to promote cancer and tend to target different pathways for cancer initiation and development instead of targeting redox homeostasis. In this context, this review is focused on providing an overall understanding of redox homeostasis and intends to highlight the potential positive and negative impacts of phytochemicals in redox homeostasis and disease development. We also discuss the recent nanotechnology-based advancements in combating cancer development.

Dietary myricetin assuages atrazine-mediated hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis dysfunction in rats

Atrazine (ATZ) exposure is associated with reproductive dysfunction in both animals and humans. Myricetin, a flavonoid compound, is well documented for its numerous pharmacological activities. However, the impact of myricetin on the atrazine-mediated dysfunctional hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis is not known. This study investigated the role of myricetin on the atrazine-induced alterations in the male reproductive axis in rats orally gavaged with ATZ alone (50 mg/kg) or co-treated with ATZ + myricetin (MYR) at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg for 30 consecutive days. Myricetin assuaged ATZ-induced reductions in intra-testicular testosterone, serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, coupled with decreases in alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities. Also, MYR treatment improved epididymal sperm count and motility and decreased sperm defects in ATZ-treated rats. Testicular sperm number, daily sperm production, and sperm viability remained unchanged in all treatment groups. Administration of MYR abated ATZ-mediated depletion in antioxidant status, an increase in myeloperoxidase activity, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde levels, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, as well as the histological lesions in the hypothalamus, epididymis, and testes of treated animals. All in all, MYR mitigated atrazine-mediated functional changes in the reproductive axis via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms in atrazine-exposed rats. Dietary intake of MYR could be a worthy chemoprotective approach against reproductive dysfunction related to ATZ exposure.

Myricetin Derivative Targets Cucumber Mosaic Virus 2b Protein to Achieve In Vivo Antiviral Activity in Plants

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 2b protein plays a key role in the process of CMV infecting plants and symptom formation and is a potential molecular target for the control of this important plant virus. The exploitation of antiviral compounds is one of the strategies with the highest input: output ratio in plant protection. In this study, the CMV 2b recombinant protein was cloned, purified, and identified as the target protein by mass spectrometry. Subsequently, we carried out preliminary functional screening of the LP series of myricetin derivatives designed and synthesized in our laboratory and commercial antiviral compounds by microscale thermophoresis (MST), which showed that LP compounds LP4, LP11, LP13, and LP20 interacted well with CMV 2b, with dissociation constant (K_d) values of 1.39, 0.88, 1.52, and 1.77 μM, respectively. Among the commercially available antiviral compounds, ningnanmycin (NNM) was the most active, with a K_d value of 4.09 μM. Then, the strongest binding force to CMV 2b was identified to be from LP11 by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments, with a K_d of 1.19 μM. Among the commercial compounds, NNM had the strongest binding force with CMV 2b, with a K_d of 4.62 μM. Through the screening of commercial compounds and LP series compounds by MST and ITC, LP11, NNM (positive control), LP16 (negative control), and the blank control group were selected to test the in vivo impact of LP11 on CMV. Specifically, the screened compounds were sprayed onto CMV-inoculated Nicotiana benthamiana plants to determine their impact on the regulation of CMV pathogenic gene expression, symptoms, and virus titer. The results showed that LP11 had a strong ability to inhibit CMV infection of tobacco at the transcriptional and translational levels. By mutating the CMV 2b protein, the 15th amino acid leucine and the 18th amino acid methionine at the N-terminal region were shown to be potential sites for binding to compound LP11. This finding provided a theoretical basis for screening and developing anti-CMV agents.

Role of potential bioactive metabolites from traditional Chinese medicine for type 2 diabetes mellitus: An overview

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease with persistent hyperglycemia primarily caused by insulin resistance (IR). The number of diabetic patients globally has been rising over the past decades. Although significant progress has been made in treating diabetes mellitus (DM), existing clinical drugs for diabetes can no longer fully meet patients when they face complex and huge clinical treatment needs. As a traditional and effective medical system, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a unique understanding of diabetes treatment and has developed many classic and practical prescriptions targeting DM. With modern medicine and pharmacy advancements, researchers have discovered that various bioactive metabolites isolated from TCM show therapeutic on DM. Compared with existing clinical drugs, these bioactive metabolites demonstrate promising prospects for treating DM due to their excellent biocompatibility and fewer adverse reactions. Accordingly, these valuable metabolites have attracted the interest of researchers worldwide. Despite the abundance of research works and specialized-topic reviews published over the past years, there is a lack of updated and systematic reviews concerning this fast-growing field. Therefore, in this review, we summarized the bioactive metabolites derived from TCM with the potential treatment of T2DM by searching several authoritative databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, and Springer Link. For the convenience of readers, the content is divided into four parts according to the structural characteristics of these valuable compounds (flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and others). Meanwhile, the detailed mechanism and future directions of these promising compounds curing DM are also summarized in the related sections. We hope this review inspires increasingly valuable and significant research focusing on potential bioactive metabolites from TCM to treat DM in the future.

Mitochondrial bioenergetics and redox dysfunction in nephrotoxicity induced by pyrethroid permethrin are ameliorated by flavonoid-rich fraction

The present study was designed to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the potential anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective potential of ethyl acetate fraction extracted from Fumaria officinalis (EAF) against permethrin (PER). Male wistar rats were treated daily by gavage during 7 days as follows: group C: negative control rats received 2 mL/kg bw of corn oil, group EAF: positive control rats received EAF at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw dissolved in water, group PER: rats received PER at a dose of 34.05 mg/kg bw and group (PER + EAF): rats received PER (34.05 mg/kg bw) and EAF (200 mg/kg bw). In vitro study showed the ability of EAF to inhibit protein denaturation and heat-induced hemolysis confirming its anti-inflammatory activity. In vivo, PER treatment decreased calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in plasma. It induced oxidative stress objectified by an increase in the lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation and a perturbation of antioxidant system in kidney and mitochondria. The activities of NADH-ubiquinone reductase, ubiquinol-cytochrome C reductase and cytochrome C oxidase activities were reduced. These alterations were confirmed by histopathological studies. Co-treatment with EAF improved the antioxidant status and mitochondrial bioenergetics. The nephroprotective effects of EAF could be attributed to its modulation of detoxification enzymes and/or free radical scavenging actions.

Apigenin in cancer therapy: From mechanism of action to nano-therapeutic agent

Apigenin (APG) is a flavonoid presence in beverages, vegetables, and fruits containing anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-viral activities, as well as cancer management properties. There is growing evidence that APG presented extensive anti-cancer effects in several cancer types by modulating various cellular processes, including angiogenesis, apoptosis, metastasis, autophagy, cell cycle, and immune responses, through activation or inhibition of different cell signaling pathways and molecules. By emerging nanotechnology and its advent in the biomedicine field, cancer therapy has been changed based on nanotechnology-based delivery systems. APG nanoformulations have been used to target tumor cells specifically, improve cellular uptake of APG, and overcome limitations of the free form of APG, such as low solubility and poor bioavailability. In this review, the biotherapeutic activity of APG and its mechanisms, both in free form and nanoformulation, toward cancer cells are discussed to shed some light on APG anti-tumor activity in different cancers.

Apigenin Attenuates Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles-Induced Nephrotoxicity by Activating FOXO3a

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are widely used in many biomedical applications and clinical fields. However, the applications of MSNs are limited by their severe toxicity. Apigenin (AG) has demonstrated pharmacological effects with low toxicity. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of AG in the progression of MSNs-induced renal injury. BALB/c mice and NRK-52E cells were exposed to MSNs with or without AG. AG protected mice and NRK-52E cells from the MSNs-induced pathological variations in renal tissues and decreased cell viability. AG significantly reduced the levels of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr), upregulated the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT), and improved the pathological changes of the kidney in MSNs-treated mice. The protective effects of AG were associated with its ability to increase the levels of antioxidants, reduce the accumulation of ROS, and inhibit the expression of the inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6). In addition, AG treatment upregulated the activity of FOXO3a, increased the level of IkBα, and reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, which ultimately alleviated MSNs-induced inflammation. Nuclear FOXO3a translocation also triggered antioxidant gene transcription and protected nephrocyte from oxidative damage. However, knockdown of FOXO3a significantly blocked the protective effects of AG. These findings suggested that AG could be a promising therapeutic strategy for MSNs-induced nephrotoxicity, and this protective effect might be related to the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation via the FOXO3a/NF-κB pathway.

Protective Effects of Shorea roxburghii Phenolic Extract on Nephrotoxicity Induced by Cyclophosphamide: Impact on Oxidative Stress, Biochemical and Histopathological Alterations

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is one of the most commonly used alkylating agents for the treatment of various cancers; however, CTX-induced nephrotoxicity is one of the most prevailing side effects of the drug. Shorea roxburghii is a plant with diverse bioactivities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and renoprotective effects. This study investigated the nephroprotective effect of Shorea roxburghii phenolic extract (SRPF) against CTX-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The rats were treated with SRPF (100 and 400 mg/kg) for 5 weeks and were concomitantly administered with CTX. The results indicated that treatment with SRPF significantly decreased serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid as well as renal MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-kB and caspase-3 levels. Furthermore, SRPF augmented the activities of renal SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx. SRPF also improved renal histopathological damages caused by CTX administration. In conclusion, these results suggested that SRPF showed substantial protective effects against CTX-mediated renal toxicity via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

A critical review of cannabis in medicine and dentistry: A look back and the path forward

Introduction

In the last two decades, our understanding of the therapeutic utility and medicinal properties of cannabis has greatly changed. This change has been accompanied by widespread cannabis use in various communities and different age groups, especially within the United States. With this increase, we should consider the potential effects of cannabis–hemp on general public health and how they could alter therapeutic outcomes.

Material and Methods

The present investigation examined cannabis use for recreational and therapeutic use and a review of pertinent indexed literature was performed. The focused question evaluates “how cannabis or hemp products impact health parameters and do they provide potential therapeutic value in dentistry, and how do they interact with conventional medicines (drugs).” Indexed databases (PubMed/Medline, EMBASE) were searched without any time restrictions but language was restricted to English.

Results

The review highlights dental concerns of cannabis usage, the need to understand the endocannabinoid system (ECS), cannabinoid receptor system, its endogenous ligands, pharmacology, metabolism, current oral health, and medical dilemma to ascertain the detrimental or beneficial effects of using cannabis–hemp products. The pharmacological effects of pure cannabidiol (CBD) have been studied extensively while cannabis extracts can vary significantly and lack empirical studies. Several metabolic pathways are affected by cannabis use and could pose a potential drug interaction. The chronic use of cannabis is associated with health issues, but the therapeutic potential is multifold since there is a regulatory role of ECS in many pathologies.

Conclusion

Current shortcomings in understanding the benefits of cannabis or hemp products are limited due to pharmacological and clinical effects not being predictable, while marketed products vary greatly in phytocompounds warrant further empirical investigation. Given the healthcare challenges to manage acute and chronic pain, this review highlights both cannabis and CBD‐hemp extracts to help identify the therapeutic application for patient populations suffering from anxiety, inflammation, and dental pain.

Potential nephroprotective phytochemicals: Mechanism and future prospects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kidney disease (KD) is one of the serious health issues, which causes worrisome morbidity and economic burden. Therapeutic strategies are available however majority of them are associated with severe adverse effects and poor patient compliance and adherence. This explorative article was undertaken to provide a holistic review of known nephroprotective (NP) phytoconstituents along with their research-based evidences on mechanism, sources, and clinical trials that may play essential role in prevention and cure of KD.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present systematic review aimed to provide in-depth and better evidences of the global burden of KD, phytoconstituents as NP with emphasis on mechanism of action both in vitro and in vivo, their wide biological sources as well as their clinical efficacy in management of kidney disease and its related disorders.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Comprehensive information was searched systematically from electronic databases, namely, PubMed, Sciencedirect, Wiley, Scopus, Google scholar and Springer until February 2021 to find relevant data for publication on phytoconstituents with nephroprotective potential.

RESULTS

In total, 24,327 articles were screened in first search for "phytoconstituents and medicinal plants for nephroprotection and kidney disorder". On the basis of exclusion and inclusion criteria, 24,091 were excluded. Only 236 papers were spotted to have superlative quality data, which is appropriate under titles and sub-titles of the present review. The phytoconstituents having multiple research evidence along with wide number of medicinal plants sources and mechanism reported for nephroprotection have been selected and reviewed.

CONCLUSION

This review, based on pre-clinical and clinical data of NP phytoconstituents, provides scientific-basis for the rational discovery, development and utilization of these upcoming treatment practices. Further,-more clinical studies are warranted to improve the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic understanding of phytoconstituents. Also, more specific evaluation for natural sources is needed.

The role of flavonoids in inhibiting IL-6 and inflammatory arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the synovial joints. RA has well-known clinical manifestations and can cause progressive disability and premature death along with socioeconomic burdens. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated in the pathology of RA where it can stimulate pannus formation, osteoclastogenesis, and oxidative stress. Flavonoids are plant metabolites with beneficial pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and others. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds found in a variety of plants, vegetables, and fruits. Many flavonoids have demonstrated anti-arthritic activity mediated mainly through the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This review thoroughly discusses the accumulate data on the role of flavonoids on IL-6 in RA.

Therapeutic Influence on Important Targets Associated with Chronic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Cancer Treatment

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are the interconnected pathological processes, which lead to cancer initiation and progression. The growing level of oxidative and inflammatory damage was shown to increase cancer severity and contribute to tumor spread. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is associated with the reduced capacity of the endogenous cell defense mechanisms and/or metabolic imbalance, is the main contributor to oxidative stress. An abnormal level of ROS was defined as a predisposing factor for the cell transformation that could trigger pro-oncogenic signaling pathways, induce changes in gene expression, and facilitate accumulation of mutations, DNA damage, and genomic instability. Additionally, the activation of transcription factors caused by a prolonged oxidative stress, including NF-κB, p53, HIF1α, etc., leads to the expression of several genes responsible for inflammation. The resulting hyperactivation of inflammatory mediators, including TNFα, TGF-β, interleukins, and prostaglandins can contribute to the development of neoplasia. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were shown to trigger adaptive reactions and the acquisition of resistance by tumor cells to apoptosis, while promoting proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. Moreover, the chronic inflammatory response leads to the excessive production of free radicals, which further aggravate the initiated reactions. This review summarizes the recent data and progress in the discovery of mechanisms that associate oxidative stress and chronic inflammation with cancer onset and metastasis. In addition, the review provides insights for the development of therapeutic approaches and the discovery of natural substances that will be able to simultaneously inhibit several key oncological and inflammation-related targets.

A Review of Natural Products for Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

acute kidney injury (AKI), formerly called acute renal failure (ARF), is commonly defined as an abrupt decline in renal function, clinically manifesting as a reversible acute increase in nitrogen waste products-measured by blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels-over the course of hours to weeks. AKI occurs in about 20% of all hospitalized patients and is more common in the elderly. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of AKI, and to detect and treat early, since it is known that a prolonged period of kidney injury increases cardiovascular complications and the risk of death. Despite advances in modern medicine, there are no consistent treatment strategies for preventing the progression to chronic kidney disease. Through many studies, the safety and efficacy of natural products have been proven, and based on this, the time and cost required for new drug development can be reduced. In addition, research results on natural products are highly anticipated in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. In relation to AKI, many papers have reported that many natural products can prevent and treat AKI.

CONCLUSIONS

in this paper, the results of studies on natural products related to AKI were found and summarized, and the mechanism by which the efficacy of AKI was demonstrated was reviewed. Many natural products show that AKI can be prevented and treated, suggesting that these natural products can help to develop new drugs. In addition, we may be helpful to elucidate additional mechanisms and meta-analysis in future natural product studies.

Repurposing Natural Dietary Flavonoids in the Modulation of Cancer Tumorigenesis: Decrypting the Molecular Targets of Naringenin, Hesperetin and Myricetin

In the past few years flavonoids have been gaining more attention regarding their (still un) exploited anticancer properties. Flavonoids are natural compounds present in fruits, vegetables, and seeds, meaning that they are already present in the daily life of every person, with a described broad-spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. In the present review we discuss the anticancer activity of three important flavonoids - myricetin (MYR) (flavanol group), hesperetin (HESP) and naringenin (NAR) (flavanone group). Although some mechanisms underlying their activities remain still unclear, they can act as potential inhibitors of key tumorigenic signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Simultaneously, they can reset the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins that belong to the Bcl-2 and caspase family and decrease the intracellular levels of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Together with their synergetic effect they have the potential to become key elements in the prevention and/or treatment of several types of cancer, with the major improvement to the patient life quality, due to their non-existent toxicity.

Chemoprotective and chemosensitizing effects of apigenin on cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic resistance to radiation and chemotherapy is one of the major obstacles in cancer treatment. Although synthetic radiosensitizers are pragmatic solution to enhance tumor sensitivity, they pose concerns of toxicity and non-specificity. In the last decades, scientists scrutinized novel plant-derived radiosensitizers and chemosensitizers, such as flavones, owing to their substantial physiological effects like low toxicity and non-mutagenic properties on the human cells. The combination therapy with apigenin is potential candidate in cancer therapeutics. This review explicates the combinatorial strategies involving apigenin to overcome drug resistance and boost the anti-cancer properties.

METHODS

We selected full-text English papers on international databases like PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ScienceDirect from 1972 up to 2020. The keywords included in the search were: Apigenin, Chemoprotective, Chemosensitizing, Side Effects, and Molecular Mechanisms.

RESULTS

In this review, we focused on combination therapy, particularly with apigenin augmenting the anti-cancer effects of chemo drugs on tumor cells, reduce their side effects, subdue drug resistance, and protect healthy cells. The reviewed research data implies that these co-therapies exhibited a synergistic effect on various cancer cells, where apigenin sensitized the chemo drug through different pathways including a significant reduction in overexpressed genes, AKT phosphorylation, NFκB, inhibition of Nrf2, overexpression of caspases, up-regulation of p53 and MAPK, compared to the monotherapies. Meanwhile, contrary to the chemo drugs alone, combined treatments significantly induced apoptosis in the treated cells.

CONCLUSION

Briefly, our analysis proposed that the combination therapies with apigenin could suppress the unwanted toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. It is believed that these expedient results may pave the path for the development of drugs with a high therapeutic index. Nevertheless, human clinical trials are a prerequisite to consider the potential use of apigenin in the prevention and treatment of various cancers. Conclusively, the clinical trials to comprehend the role of apigenin as a chemoprotective agent are still in infancy.

Current Status and Future Perspectives on Therapeutic Potential of Apigenin: Focus on Metabolic-Syndrome-Dependent Organ Dysfunction

Metabolic syndrome and its associated disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus are globally prevalent. Different molecules showing therapeutic potential are currently available for the management of metabolic syndrome, although their efficacy has often been compromised by their poor bioavailability and side effects. Studies have been carried out on medicinal plant extracts for the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome. In this regard, isolated pure compounds have shown promising efficacy for the management of metabolic syndrome, both in preclinical and clinical settings. Apigenin, a natural bioactive flavonoid widely present in medicinal plants, functional foods, vegetables and fruits, exerts protective effects in models of neurological disorders and cardiovascular diseases and most of these effects are attributed to its antioxidant action. Various preclinical and clinical studies carried out so far show a protective effect of apigenin against metabolic syndrome. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review on both in vitro and in vivo evidence related to the promising antioxidant role of apigenin in cardioprotection, neuroprotection and renoprotection, and to its beneficial action in metabolic-syndrome-dependent organ dysfunction. We also provide evidence on the potential of apigenin in the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic syndrome, analysing the potential and limitation of its therapeutic use.

Gastroprotective Effect of Myricetin on Ethanol-Induced Acute Gastric Injury in Rats

The flavonoid myricetin is abundant in vegetables and has various bioactive properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. In the present study, we explored the effects of myricetin on alcohol-induced gastric ulcer in a rat model. To induce gastric ulcer, absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg body weight) was orally administrated to each rat. The positive control and myricetin-treated groups were given oral doses of omeprazole (20 mg/kg) or myricetin (12 mg/kg), respectively, 1 hour prior to the administration of absolute alcohol. We found that pretreatment with myricetin significantly decreased alcohol-induced gastric ulcer, hemorrhage, hyperemia, and epithelial cell loss in the gastric mucosa. Myricetin pretreatment reduced the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased that of total glutathione (GSSG/GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in gastric tissues. In addition, it elevated the expression levels of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and decreased the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Together, these results indicate that myricetin effectively inhibits ethanol-induced acute gastric injury by preventing oxidative damage, stimulating PGE₂ production, and inhibiting NF-κB activation. We suggest that myricetin may be an alternative treatment for gastric injury caused by alcohol intake.

Apigenin exerts chemopreventive effects on lung injury induced by SiO2 nanoparticles through the activation of Nrf2

Apigenin (APG) is a flavonoid widely distributed in fruits, vegetables, and herbs, with comprehensive pharmacological effects. In this paper, we report that APG can elicit a protective effect, which is comparable to those induced by gymnoside II/n-BuOH extracts of Bletilla striata, on SiO₂-induced lung injury in vitro and in vivo. In vitro experiments showed that APG (25 μM) could restore the SiO₂-decreased A549 cell viability and lower the apoptotic rate and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A549 cells treated with nm SiO₂. Western blot results showed that APG (25 μM) could increase the level of Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream proteins. In vivo experiments showed that APG (20 mg/kg) could potently alleviate the SiO₂-elicited lung injury by enhancing the Nrf2 expression and thereby suppressing Bax/Bcl-2 pathway. The present study suggests that APG can significantly alleviate the SiO₂-induced lung injury both in vitro and in vivo through, at least partially, activating Nrf2 expression.

Responses of Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) to low concentration cadmium stress: Whether the depuration phase restores physiological characteristics

The effect of low concentration Cd stress on bivalves is unclear. In this study, Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) were continuously exposed to 0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 mg/L Cd for 14 d (exposure phase) and to artificial freshwater for 7 d (depuration phase). A total of 16 variables were measured to explore the toxic effects on C. fluminea. All physiological characteristics were significantly inhibited in the treatments (p < 0.05), and the negative effects of Cd did not return to normal levels in the short term. Tissue damage was found in the feet and gills of C. fluminea in all the treatments. On the 7th day (D7), enzyme activity in all the treatments was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the control group. Acetylcholinesterase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were enhanced on D14 in all the treatments. However, only glutathione S-transferase activity was significantly higher in all the treatments (p < 0.05) than in the control group on D21. The instability of the enzymes indicated that the adaptability of C. fluminea became stronger throughout the experiment. In each group, the maximum bioaccumulation of Cd followed the order: 0.20 mg/L > 0.05 mg/L > 0.10 mg/L, which might be caused by the filtration capacity of C. fluminea in the 0.05-mg/L group, which was higher than that of the 0.10-mg/L group. Thus, low Cd concentrations effect the physiological characteristics, tissue health, and antioxidant system of C. fluminea and may require a long recovery time to be restored to normal levels.

Prophylactic effect of myricetin and apigenin against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver injury

BACKGROUND

Liver has an important role in the initiation and progression of multiple organ failure that occurs in sepsis. Many natural active substances can be used to reduce the liver injury caused by sepsis. For this aim, the effects of myricetin and apigenin on mice model of acute liver injury was evaluated in this study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty-six mice were randomly divided into six groups as; control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg/kg), LPS + myricetin (100 mg/kg), LPS + myricetin (200 mg/kg), LPS + apigenin (100 mg/kg), and LPS + apigenin (200 mg/kg) groups. Myricetin and apigenin were administered orally for 7 days, and LPS was administered intraperitoneally only on the 7th day of the study. 24 h after LPS application, all animals were sacrificed and serum biochemical parameters, histopathology and oxidative stress and inflammation markers of liver tissue were examined. Myricetin and apigenin pre-treatments increased serum albumin and total protein levels, liver GSH level and catalase and SOD activities and decreased serum ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, CRP, total and direct bilirubin levels, liver MPO activity, MDA, NOx, PGE₂, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA levels, phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, IκB, and IKK proteins but not p38, ERK, and JNK proteins in LPS-treated mice. Myricetin and apigenin administration also regained the hepatic architecture disrupted during LPS application.

CONCLUSION

Myricetin and apigenin pre-treatments led to reduction of liver injury indices and oxidative stress and inflammatory events and these flavonoids has probably hepatoprotective effects in acute liver injury.

Antinociceptive, Anti-Hyperalgesia and Antiallodynic Activities of Polyphenol Rich Extract from Shorea roxburghii against Cyclophosphamide Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is a widely used antineoplastic and immunosuppressive drug, however, despite its efficacy, it has shown extensive multiple organ toxicities, including peripheral neuropathy which significantly affects the quality of life of cancer patients. This study elucidated the protective properties of Shorea roxburghii polyphenol extract (SLPE) in CYP-induced peripheral neuropathy. Rats were treated with SLPE (100 and 400 mg/kg) for five weeks plus CYP once a week from the second week of SLPE treatment. Using UHPLC-QTOF-MS, 54 polyphenolic compounds were identified in SLPE extract. After the treatment period the antinociceptive, anti-hyperalgesia and antiallodynic effects was evaluated using formalin paw edema, acetic acid abdominal writhing, hot plate, tail immersion and von Frey filament tests. While the locomotive and motor coordination effects were evaluated by open field and rotarod tests. The administration of CYP led to significant increases in mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, in addition to hyper-nociceptive responses in the formalin and acetic acid writhing tests. CYP also significantly reduced locomotive activity and motor coordination. SLPE significantly protected against CYP-induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Furthermore, SLPE displayed robust antinociceptive effect by counteracting formalin and acetic acid induced hyper-nociception. In addition, SLPE increased the locomotive activity as well as the grip and motor coordination of the CYP treated rats. In conclusion, these results revealed the protective effects of SLPE against CYP-induced peripheral neuropathy and could be an effective therapeutic remedy for chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy.

Apigenin ameliorates doxorubicin-induced renal injury via inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antitumor antibiotic widely utilized in treating various tumors. Nevertheless, the toxicity of DOX toward normal cells limits its applicability, with nephrotoxicity considered a major dose-limiting adverse effect. Apigenin (APG), a flavonoid widely distributed in natural plants, has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mild tumor-suppressive properties. In this study, we investigated the role of APG in DOX-induced nephrotoxicity and chemotherapeutic efficacy.

METHODS

Male BALB/c mice were administered DOX (11.5 mg/kg) via the tail vein to establish the DOX nephropathy model. After treatment with or without APG (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) for two weeks, urine, serum, and tissue samples were collected to evaluate proteinuria, serum albumin, serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and pathological changes. Rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK52E), murine podocyte cells (MPC5), and murine breast cancer cells (4T1) were utilized to verify the effect of APG on DOX-induced cell injury. An MTT assay was employed to analyze cell viability. Apoptosis was evaluated using a colorimetric TUNEL staining and cleaved caspase-3 protein analysis by western blotting. A reactive oxygen species (ROS)/superoxide (O2-) fluorescence probe was employed to determine oxidative injury. Western blotting was used to analyze nephrin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I (Col1), fibronectin (FN), and SOD2 expression. The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-6, NACHT, LRR, PYD domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and IL-1β were tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

APG ameliorated DOX-elicited renal injuries in both the glomeruli and tubules. The DOX + APG groups had much lower tissue MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β levels and generation of intracellular ROS, but significantly higher SOD activity and GSH levels compared to those of the DOX group. Additionally, APG attenuated DOX-induced morphological changes, loss of cellular viability, and apoptosis in NRK-52E and MPC-5 cells, but not in 4T1 cells.

CONCLUSION

APG has a protective role against DOX-induced nephrotoxicity, without weakening DOX cytotoxicity in malignant tumors. Thus, APG may serve as a potential protective agent against renal injury and inflammatory diseases and may be a promising candidate to attenuate renal toxicity in cancer patients treated with DOX.

Protective effect of myricetin on nonylphenol-induced testicular toxicity: biochemical, steroidogenic, hormonal, spermatogenic, and histological-based evidences

Nonylphenol (NP) is an environmental contaminant, which induces testicular toxicity through oxidative stress. Myricetin (MYR) is a naturally occurring flavonol having powerful antioxidant activity. The current research was planned to examine the ameliorative role of MYR against NP-induced testicular damage. A total of 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 equivalent groups: control (0.1% DMSO), NP group (50 mg kg-1), NP + MYR group (50 mg kg-1; 100 mg kg-1), and MYR-treated group (100 mg kg-1). NP administration significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GSR), and protein content while significantly (p < 0.05) elevating the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Additionally, NP significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the sperm motility, gene expression of testicular steroidogenic enzymes (3β-HSD, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; 17β-HSD, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; StAR, steroidogenic-acute regulatory protein), level of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), plasma testosterone, and daily sperm production (DSP). On the other hand, it raised the testicular cholesterol, dead sperms, and head, midpiece, and tail abnormalities along with abnormal histomorphometry. However, MYR remarkably abrogated NP-induced damages. In conclusion, the outcomes of the study suggest that MYR can effectively alleviate the NP-induced oxidative stress and testicular damages.

Protective effect of myricetin, apigenin, and hesperidin pretreatments on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression

Aim: Major side effects of cyclophosphamide administration are immunosuppression and myelosuppression. The immunomodulatory effects of plant bioactive compounds on chemotherapy drug-induced immunosuppression may have significant effects in cancer treatment. For this reason, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of myricetin, apigenin, and hesperidin in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in rats.Methods: In our study, a total of 64 rats were used, and divided into eight equal groups. These groups were: control, cyclophosphamide, cyclophosphamide + myricetin (100 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide + myricetin (200 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide + apigenin (100 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide + apigenin (200 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide + hesperidin (100 mg/kg), and cyclophosphamide + hesperidin (200 mg/kg). Myricetin, apigenin, and hesperidin pretreatments were performed for 14 d, while cyclophosphamide application (200 mg/kg) was performed only on the 4th day of the study. Levels of humoral antibody production, quantitative hemolysis, macrophage phagocytosis, splenic lymphocyte proliferation, and natural killer cell cytotoxicity were determined. In addition, we measured pro-inflammatory cytokines, and followed lipid peroxidation and antioxidant markers and examined the histology of bone marrow, liver and spleen in all groups.Results: During cyclophosphamide treatment, all three phytochemicals increased the levels of humoral antibody production, quantitative hemolysis, macrophage phagocytosis, splenic lymphocyte proliferation, antioxidant markers, and natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Moreover, the agents decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, reduced lipid peroxidation markers, and reduced tissue damage in liver, spleen, and bone marrow.Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that myricetin, apigenin, and hesperidin can reduce the immunosuppressive effect of cyclophosphamide by enhancing both innate and adaptive immune responses, and these compounds may be useful immunomodulatory agents during cancer chemotherapy.

Apigenin alleviates methotrexate-induced liver and kidney injury in mice

Methotrexate (MTX) is a drug used in the treatment of various types of cancer and inflammatory diseases, but its clinical use has been restricted due to its toxicity. Apigenin (API) is an effective flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of API against MTX-induced liver and kidney toxicity. Four groups with 12 male mice each were used. The control and API groups were received 0.9% saline (ip) and API (3 mg/kg ip) for 4 days, respectively. The MTX group were given a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg ip) on the fourth day. The MTX + API group were administered API for 7 days and then MTX on fourth day. Blood, liver and kidney were collected to evaluate tissue injury markers, oxidative stress biomarkers, and histopathological and immunohistochemical assessments. In MTX-treated group, significant increases in aminotransferases activities, creatinine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and significant decreases in catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) activities and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined compared to the control group. Furthermore, histopathological changes and significant increases in caspase-3, C-reactive protein (CRP), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions were detected in both liver and kidney tissues of MTX-treated mice. Pretreatment with API alleviates liver and kidney toxicity by attenuating oxidative stress and tissue injury markers, histopathological alterations, and apoptosis and inflammation. These results suggest that API has a protective effect against oxidative stress and liver-kidney toxicity induced by MTX.

Differential effects of cisplatin combined with the flavonoid apigenin on HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh7 liver cancer cell lines

The potential of apigenin (APG) to enhance cisplatin's (CDDP) chemotherapeutic efficacy was investigated in HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh7 liver cancer cell lines. The presence of 20 μM APG sensitized all cell lines to CDDP treatment (degree of sensitization based on the MTT assay: HepG2>Huh7>Hep3B). As reflected by sister chromatid exchange levels, the degree of genetic instability as well as DNA repair by homologous recombination differed among cell lines. CDDP and 20 μM APG cotreatment exhibited a synergistic genotoxic effect on Hep3B cells and a less than additive effect on HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Cell cycle delays were noticed during the first mitotic division in Hep3B and Huh7 cells and the second mitotic division in HepG2 cells. CDDP and CDDP + APG treatments reduced the clonogenic capacity of all cell lines; however, there was a discordance in drug sensitivity compared with the MMT assay. Furthermore, a senescence-like phenotype was induced, especially in Hep3B and Huh7 cells. Unlike CDDP monotherapy, the combined treatment exhibited a significant anti-invasive and anti-migratory action in all cancer cell lines. The fact that the three liver cancer cell lines responded differently, yet positively, to CDDP + APG cotreatment could be attributed to variations they present in gene expression. Complex mechanisms seem to influence cellular responses and cell fate.

Protective effect of dexpanthenol on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Cisplatin (CIS) is an antineoplastic agent used for treating solid organ tumors. Toxic side effects of CIS treatment include nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, ototoxicity, myelosuppression and hepatotoxicity. Dexpanthenol (DEX) exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and protective effects against free oxygen radicals. We investigated the protective effects of DEX on CIS induced nephrotoxicity. Animals were divided into four groups of 10. The control group was given saline. The DEX group was treated with DEX for 10 days. The CIS group was treated with a single dose of CIS. The DEX + CIS group was given a single dose of CIS followed by DEX for 10 days. We found increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, while superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were decreased in the CIS group. MDA, BUN and creatinine levels were decreased, while SOD, CAT, GPx and MPO levels were increased in the DEX + CIS group. Renal tubule damage, inflammation and histopathology scores were significantly higher in the CIS group than the control. The DEX + CIS group exhibited less renal tubule damage and inflammation, and lower histopathological assessment scores than the CIS group. Significant cortical tubule damage and interstitial inflammation were observed in the CIS group. Tubule damage was slightly less, and mild tubule dilation and less cast formation were observed in the DEX + CIS group; also, inflammation was less severe than for the CIS group. DEX may have therapeutic potential for treating CIS induced nephrotoxicity due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Opuntia ficus indica Fruits Ameliorate Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Mice

This study aims to determine the potential renal protective effects of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (OFI) fruits against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. The antioxidant activity of OFI methanol extract was calculated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) free radical scavenging assays. Furthermore, the LC-mass spectroscopy (MS) analysis of the OFI fruit extract was carried out. Mice were treated with OFI extract (250 mg/kg) for 10 d and injected with a single dose of cisplatin (20 mg/kg) on the 7th day. The blood samples were collected to measure blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine level on the 10th day. Their kidneys were removed for histopathological examination. The renal morphological alterations were assessed through the mesangial matrix index and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The OFI fruit extract showed significant in vitro antioxidant activity. In further, it was revealed that the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice was ameliorated; this outcome was supported by both histological examination results and the depicted reduced levels of BUN and serum creatinine. The potent antioxidant compounds which were detected in the extract of OFI fruits such as myricetin, quercetin, luteolin might be responsible for the observed renoprotective effect. The results clarified that the OFI fruit extract could ameliorate cisplatin-induced renal toxicity in mice via including antioxidant and renoprotective compounds.

Flavonols as potential antiviral drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 proteases (3CLpro and PLpro), spike protein, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and angiotensin-converting enzyme II receptor (ACE2)

The novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents the actual greatest global public health crisis. The lack of efficacious drugs and vaccines against this viral infection created a challenge for scientific researchers in order to find effective solutions. One of the promising therapeutic approaches is the search for bioactive molecules with few side effects that display antiviral properties in natural sources like medicinal plants and vegetables. Several computational and experimental studies indicated that flavonoids especially flavonols and their derivatives constitute effective viral enzyme inhibitors and possess interesting antiviral activities. In this context, the present study reviews the efficacy of many dietary flavonols as potential antiviral drugs targeting the SARS-CoV-2 enzymes and proteins including Chymotrypsin-Like Protease (3CLpro), Papain Like protease (PLpro), Spike protein (S protein) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and also their ability to interact with the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor. The relationship between flavonol structures and their SARS-CoV-2 antiviral effects were discussed. On the other hand, the immunomodulatory, the anti-inflammatory and the antiviral effects of secondary metabolites from this class of flavonoids were reported. Also, their bioavailability limitations and toxicity were predicted.

Rationalizing the therapeutic potential of apigenin against cancer

BACKGROUND

Despite the remarkable advances made in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer during the past couple of decades, it remains the second largest cause of mortality in the world, killing approximately 9.6 million people annually. The major challenges in the treatment of the advanced stage of this disease are the development of chemoresistance, severe adverse effects of the drugs, and high treatment cost. Therefore, the development of drugs that are safe, efficacious, and cost-effective remains a 'Holy Grail' in cancer research. However, the research over the past four decades shed light on the cancer-preventive and therapeutic potential of natural products and their underlying mechanism of action. Apigenin is one such compound, which is known to be safe and has significant potential in the prevention and therapy of this disease.

AIM

To assess the literature available on the potential of apigenin and its analogs in modulating the key molecular targets leading to the prevention and treatment of different types of cancer.

METHOD

A comprehensive literature search has been carried out on PubMed for obtaining information related to the sources and analogs, chemistry and biosynthesis, physicochemical properties, biological activities, bioavailability and toxicity of apigenin.

KEY FINDINGS

The literature search resulted in many in vitro, in vivo and a few cohort studies that evidenced the effectiveness of apigenin and its analogs in modulating important molecular targets and signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, NF-κB, MAPK/ERK, Wnt/β-catenin, etc., which play a crucial role in the development and progression of cancer. In addition, apigenin was also shown to inhibit chemoresistance and radioresistance and make cancer cells sensitive to these agents. Reports have further revealed the safety of the compound and the adaptation of nanotechnological approaches for improving its bioavailability.

SIGNIFICANCE

Hence, the present review recapitulates the properties of apigenin and its pharmacological activities against different types of cancer, which warrant further investigation in clinical settings.

Myricetin: A review of the most recent research

Myricetin(MYR) is a flavonoid compound widely found in many natural plants including bayberry. So far, MYR has been proven to have multiple biological functions and it is a natural compound with promising research and development prospects. This review comprehensively retrieved and collected the latest pharmacological abstracts on MYR, and discussed the potential molecular mechanisms of its effects. The results of our review indicated that MYR has a therapeutic effect on many diseases, including tumors of different types, inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, cerebral ischemia, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and pathogenic microbial infections. Furthermore, it regulates the expression of Hippo, MAPK, GSK-3β, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, STAT3, TLR, IκB/NF-κB, Nrf2/HO-1, ACE, eNOS / NO, AChE and BrdU/NeuN. MYR also enhances the immunomodulatory functions, suppresses cytokine storms, improves cardiac dysfunction, possesses an antiviral potential, can be used as an adjuvant treatment against cancer, cardiovascular injury and nervous system diseases, and it may be a potential drug against COVID-19 and other viral infections. Generally, this article provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of MYR and a reference for its further use.

Phloretin and phloridzin guard against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice through inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation

AIM

Cisplatin (Cis) is widely used chemotherapeutic and has some serious side effects as nephrotoxicity. Phloretin (PH) and Phloridzin (PZ) are known their anti-oxidant anti-inflammatory effects. We aimed to examine the protective effects of PH and PZ on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

MAIN METHODS

Totally, 48 Balb/C female mice were separated into eight groups (n = 6). First day, single dose of cisplatin (20 mg/kg intraperitoneal) was administered to induce toxicity. PH and PZ were given (50 and 100 mg/kg orally) to treatment groups during 3 days. After the experimental procedures serum renal function enzymes (BUN and Creatinine), oxidative parameters (SOD, GSH and MDA), nuclear agent NFKβ, inflammatory cytokines (Tnf-α and IL1β) and HSP70 expressions and histopathological assessments were analyzed.

KEY FINDINGS

Serum enzymes, tissue cytokines and oxidative stress were increased after the Cis treatment. PH and PZ treatments normalized all parameters compared to Cis administrated group. After the treatments, SOD activities and GSH levels were increased while MDA levels were decreased. PH and PZ treatments decreased Tnf-α, IL1β and NFKβ mRNA expressions. Cis significantly increased the HSP70 expression while PH and PZ administrations significantly decreased. Similar the biochemical and molecular results, PH and PZ showed positive effects on tissue pathological parameters. Cisplatin cause a lot of abnormal structures as tubular and glomeruli damages on the kidney.

SIGNIFICANCE

PH and PZ play important physiological roles in the prevention of nephrotoxicity. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of PH and PZ demonstrated visible protective effects in the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity model.