A comparative study on the antioxidant effects of hesperidin and ellagic acid against skeletal muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury

Effects of naringenin on oxidative damage and apoptosis in liver and kidney in rats subjected to chronic mercury chloride

Mercury chloride is a type of heavy metal that causes the formation of free radicals, causing hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and apoptosis. In this study, the effects of naringenin on oxidative stress and apoptosis in the liver and kidney of rats exposed to mercury chloride were investigated. In the study, 41 2-month-old male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into five groups. Accordingly, group 1 was set as control group, group 2 as naringenin-100, group 3 as mercury chloride, group 4 as mercury chloride + naringenin-50, and group 5 as mercury chloride + naringenin-100. For the interventions, 1 mL/kg saline was administered to the control, 0.4 mg/kg/day mercury (II) chloride to the mercury chloride groups by i.p., and 50 and 100 mg/kg/day naringenin prepared in corn oil to the naringenin groups by gavage. All the interventions lasted for 20 days. Mercury chloride administration was initiated 1 h following the administration of naringenin. When mercury chloride and the control group were compared, a significant increase in plasma urea, liver and kidney malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, in kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities (p < .001), and a significant decrease in liver and kidney glutathione (GSH) levels (p < .001), in liver catalase (CAT) activity (p < .01) were observed. In addition, histopathological changes and a significant increase in caspase-3 levels were detected (p < .05). When mercury chloride and treatment groups were compared, the administration of naringenin caused a decrease aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p < .01), urea, creatinine levels (p < .001) in plasma, MDA levels in liver and kidney, SOD, GSH-Px, GST activities in kidney (p < .001), and increased GSH levels in liver and kidney. The addition of naringenin-100 increased GSH levels above the control (p < .001). The administration of naringenin was also decreased histopathological changes and caspase-3 levels (p < .05). Accordingly, it was determined that naringenin is protective and therapeutic against mercury chloride-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in the liver and kidney, and 100 mg/kg naringenin is more effective in preventing histopathological changes and apoptosis.

Biochemical, morphological and molecular assessments of n butanol fraction of Phoenix dactylifera L. following exposure to inorganic mercury on the liver of Wistar rats

BACKGROUND

Mercury chloride (HgCl2) damages tissues it comes in contact with in sufficient concentration. This study evaluated the protective effects of n-butanol fraction of Phoenix dactylifera (BFPD) on mercury-triggered liver toxicity in Wistar rats. 25 male rats were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Group I was administered 2 ml/kg of distilled water; group II was administered 5 mg/kg of HgCl2; group III was administered 500 mg/kg of BFPD + 5 mg/kg of HgCl2; group IV was administered 1000 mg/kg of BFPD + 5 mg/kg of HgCl2, while group V was administered 100 mg/kg of silymarin + 5 mg/kg of HgCl2. orally for 2 weeks. The rats were euthanized and liver tissue blood samples were collected for histological, histochemical, stereological, immunohistochemical, molecular, and biochemical studies.

RESULTS

The results revealed that HgCl2 induced oxidative stress in the rats evident by histoarchitectural distortions and altered levels of liver enzymes, proteins, and oxidative stress biomarkers when compared to the control. However, BFPD treatment restored these changes. Glutathione peroxidase levels decreased (p < 0.05) in the HgCl2-treated group when compared to the control and BFPD-treated groups. HgCl2 group revealed reduced reactivity with histochemical and immunohistochemical stains (Masson's Trichrome and B cell Lymphoma 2) when compared to the control, with a significant decrease in quantified liver Bcl-2 stain intensity when compared to the silymarin-treated group. BFPD administration revealed normal staining intensity comparable to the control. HgCl2 administration revealed a remarked decrease in the number of hepatocytes when compared to the control, BFPD, and silymarin groups. BFPD preserved (p < 0.05) the stereological features when compared to the HgCl2-treated group. GPx activity in the liver decreased (p < 0.05) with HgCl2 administration when compared to the control and silymarin-treated groups. BFPD attenuated GPx gene activity to levels similar to the control indicating some level of amelioration against HgCl2-induced toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The ability of BFPD to mitigate HgCl2 triggered liver alterations could be attributed to the antioxidant property of its flavonoid content. Therefore, BFPD may be a potential candidate for treating and managing liver-induced mercury intoxication.

Hesperidin ameliorates H2O2-induced bovine mammary epithelial cell oxidative stress via the Nrf2 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Hesperidin is a citrus flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. However, its protective effects on bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs) exposed to oxidative stress have not been elucidated.

RESULTS

In this study, we investigated the effects of hesperidin on H2O2-induced oxidative stress in bMECs and the underlying molecular mechanism. We found that hesperidin attenuated H2O2-induced cell damage by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increasing catalase (CAT) activity, and improving cell proliferation and mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, hesperidin activated the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway by inducing the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the expression of its downstream genes NQO1 and HO-1, which are antioxidant enzymes involved in ROS scavenging and cellular redox balance. The protective effects of hesperidin were blocked by the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385, indicating that they were Nrf2 dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that hesperidin could protect bMECs from oxidative stress injury by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, suggesting that hesperidin as a natural antioxidant has positive potential as a feed additive or plant drug to promote the health benefits of bovine mammary.

Hesperidin counteracts chlorpyrifos-induced neurotoxicity by regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in rats

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), considered one of the most potent organophosphates, causes a variety of human disorders including neurotoxicity. The current study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of hesperidin (HSP) in ameliorating CPF-induced neurotoxicity in rats. In the study, rats were treated with HSP (orally, 50 and 100 mg/kg) 30 min after giving CPF (orally, 6.75 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days. Molecular, biochemical, and histological methods were used to investigate cholinergic enzymes, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the brain tissue. CPF intoxication resulted in inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes, reduced antioxidant status [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH)], and elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and carbonic anhydrase (CA) activities. CPF increased histopathological changes and immunohistochemical expressions of 8-OHdG in brain tissue. CPF also increased levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) while decreased levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α). Furthermore, CPF increased mRNA transcript levels of caspase-3, Bax, PARP-1, and VEGF, which are associated with apoptosis and endothelial damage in rat brain tissues. HSP treatment was found to protect brain tissue by reducing CPF-induced neurotoxicity. Overall, this study supports that HSP can be used to reduce CPF-induced neurotoxicity.

Protective effects of hesperidin in gastric damage caused by experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury model in rats

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the protective effect of hesperidin on injury induced by gastric ischemia-reperfusion.

METHODS

Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats (250-300 g) were divided into five groups: control (C), sham (S), ischemia (I), ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) and hesperidin + ischemia-reperfusion (Hes + I/R). Hesperidin was injected intraperitoneally at the dose of 100 mg/kg one hour before the experimental stomach ischemia-reperfusion. Celiac artery was ligated. After 45 minutes ischemia and 60 minutes reperfusion period, blood samples were obtained under anesthesia. Then, animals were sacrificed, stomach tissues were excised for biochemical, and histopathological analyses were performed. Malondialdehyde levels and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activities and total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), protein, total thiol parameters were measured in plasma, and tissue homogenate samples. H + E, periodic acid-Schiff, hypoxia inducible factor, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) for cell proliferation as immunohistochemical parameters were determined.

RESULTS

Upon biochemical and histopathological assessment, hesperidin decreased stomach tissue changes in comparison with IR group. Ischemia-reperfusion injury led to a considerably increase in malondialdehyde, protein, and TOS levels (p < 0.001) in stomach tissue. Hesperidin treatment significantly decreased malondialdehyde, protein, and TOS levels (p < 0.001). Hesperidin increased superoxide dismutase, TAS, total thiol and glutathione peroxidase activities in comparison with IR group. Hesperidin reduced damage and also increased TUNEL and PCNA immunoreactivity in stomach tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Hesperidin was able to decrease I/R injury of the stomach tissue due to inhibition of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, duration of antioxidant, and free radical scavenger properties. Consequently, hesperidin can provide a beneficial therapeutic choice for preventing stomach tissue ischemia-reperfusion injury in clinical application.

Naringenin, Hesperidin and Quercetin Ameliorate Radiation-Induced Damage In Rats: In Vivo And In Silico Evaluations

In this study, we sought to determine how well naringenin, hesperidin, and quercetin prevented damage brought on by radiotherapy. During the investigation, 48 adult female Sprague Dawley rats were used. Eight groups of eight rats each were formed by randomly assigning the rats to the groups. The normal control group was represented by Group 1. Group 2 rats were those that received a dose of 15 Gray (Gy) of radiotherapy. The rats assigned to Group 3 received only Naringenin, whereas those assigned to Group 4 received only quercetine, and those assigned to Group 5 received only hesperidin. Rats in Group 6, 7 and 8 were received naringenin, quarcetin and hesperidin at a dose of 50 mg/kg daily for one week prior to radiotheraphy exposition. After radiotheraphy and phenolic compounds rats were sacrificed and some metabolic enzyme (aldose reductase (AR), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)) activity was determined in eye and brain tissues. It was found that phenolic compounds have protective effect against radiation-induced damage because of their anti-diabetic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, hesperidin was found to be superior to quercetin and naringenin in terms of enzyme activity efficacy. Furthermore, hesperidin exhibited favorable binding affinity for BChE in silico compared to other enzymes.

The evaluation of superoxide dismutase 1 gene insertion/deletion variant in athletes

OBJECTIVE

Regular exercise benefits health by increasing the body's antioxidant defenses. However, excessive exercise can produce excessive reactive oxygen species, which can lead to oxidative stress. Superoxide dismutase is the primary enzyme involved in the elimination of reactive oxygen species. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the SOD1 gene insertion/deletion variant and elite athletes.

METHODS

A total of 305 subjects, including 165 elite athletes from different branches and 140 sedentary individuals, participated in this study. The SOD1 insertion/deletion variant was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction. The results were evaluated statistically.

RESULTS

There was no statistical significance between the athletes and control groups in terms of SOD1 insertion/deletion genotype distribution and allele frequency. Then, we evaluated the groups as females and males. There were no female athletes carrying the D/D genotype. The SOD1 I/I genotype and the I allele were more prevalent in female athletes than in the control group. There was a significant difference in terms of SOD1 I/I: I/D+D/D in females (p=0.028). SOD1 genotype and allele distribution did not differ between male athletes and male controls.

CONCLUSION

As far as we know, this is the first study to evaluate the SOD1 insertion/deletion variant in athletes in Turkey. Our results showed that the SOD1 I allele was more common in female athletes, but not in male athletes.

Impact of polyphenols on heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy: clinical effects and molecular mechanisms

Polyphenols are abundant in regular diets and possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects. Regarding the inadequacy of the current treatments in preventing cardiac remodeling following cardiovascular diseases, attention has been focused on improving cardiac function with potential alternatives such as polyphenols. The following online databases were searched for relevant orginial published from 2000 to 2023: EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases. The search strategy aimed to assess the effects of polyphenols on heart failure and keywords were "heart failure" and "polyphenols" and "cardiac hypertrophy" and "molecular mechanisms". Our results indicated polyphenols are repeatedly indicated to regulate various heart failure-related vital molecules and signaling pathways, such as inactivating fibrotic and hypertrophic factors, preventing mitochondrial dysfunction and free radical production, the underlying causes of apoptosis, and also improving lipid profile and cellular metabolism. In the current study, we aimed to review the most recent literature and investigations on the underlying mechanism of actions of different polyphenols subclasses in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure to provide deep insight into novel mechanistic treatments and direct future studies in this context. Moreover, due to polyphenols' low bioavailability from conventional oral and intravenous administration routes, in this study, we have also investigated the currently accessible nano-drug delivery methods to optimize the treatment outcomes by providing sufficient drug delivery, targeted therapy, and less off-target effects, as desired by precision medicine standards.

Severe muscle damage after a short period of ischemia and reperfusion in an animal model

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injuries result in a loss of contractile function, leading to limb disability or amputation. Ischemia causes hypoxia and cellular energy failure, which is aggravated by reperfusion due to the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. The consequences of the injury vary according to the duration of the period of ischemia and reperfusion. Therefore, the present work aims to evaluate ischemia-reperfusion injuries induced in the skeletal muscles of Wistar rats submitted to 3 different application periods based on morphological and biochemical parameters.

METHODS

For this, a tourniquet was applied to the root of the animals' hind limbs, occluding arterial and venous blood flow, and it was followed by reperfusion-the removal of the tourniquet. The groups were: control (without tourniquet); I30'/R60' (30 minutes of ischemia and 1 hour of reperfusion); I120'/R120' (2 hours and 2 hours); and I180'/R180' (3 hours and 3 hours).

RESULTS

All ischemia-reperfusion groups showed characteristics of muscle injury. Microscopic analyses of the extensor digitorum longus, soleus, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles showed a significant increase in the number of injured muscle fibers in the ischemia-reperfusion groups compared to the control group. There were also significant differences between the ischemia-reperfusion groups in all muscles, showing a progressive increase in the degree of injury. The quantification of the number of injured muscle fibers between the muscles revealed that at I30'/R60', the soleus muscles had a higher number of injuries in relation to the other muscles, with statistical significance. In the I120'/R120' group, the gastrocnemius muscles presented a significantly greater number of injured fibers. There were no significant differences in the I180'/R180' group. The serum levels of creatine kinase in the I180'/R180' group were significantly higher than in the control and I30'/R60' groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, it was evident that the 3 ischemia-reperfusion models used were capable of causing cell damage, with these findings being more pronounced in the I180'/R180' group.

The Preventive Effects of Naringin and Naringenin against Paclitaxel-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Cardiotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats

This study assessed the preventive properties of naringin and naringenin on paclitaxel-induced nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Intraperitoneal injection of paclitaxel 2 mg/kg body weight, two days/week on the 2nd and 5th days of each week, with or without oral administration of naringin and/or naringenin 10 mg/kg body weight every other day, was continued for six weeks. Treatment of rats with naringin and/or naringenin significantly reversed elevated serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels caused by paclitaxel, reflecting improved kidney function. Similarly, heart dysfunction induced by paclitaxel was alleviated after treatment with naringin and/or naringenin, as evidenced by significant decreases in elevated CK-MB and LDH activities. After drug administration, histopathological findings and lesion scores in the kidneys and heart were markedly decreased by naringin and/or naringenin. Moreover, the treatments reversed renal and cardiac lipid peroxidation and the negative impacts on antioxidant defenses via raising GSH, SOD, and GPx. The preventive effects of naringin and naringenin were associated with suppressing oxidative stress and reestablishing antioxidant defenses. A combination of naringin and naringenin was the most efficacious in rescuing organ function and structure.

Ellagic acid attenuates muscle atrophy in STZ-induced diabetic mice

Diabetes is closely connected with skeletal muscle dysfunction. Ellagic acid (EA) possesses a variety of bio-effects and is applied to the improvement of diabetes. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential improvement effect and mechanisms of EA in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic muscle atrophy. The model of diabetic mice was established by intra-peritoneal STZ to evaluate treatment effect of EA (100 mg/kg/d for 8 weeks) on muscle atrophy. Our data exhibited that EA enhanced fiber size and weight of gastrocnemius, and promoted grip strength to relieve STZ-induced muscle lesions. In serum, the levels of Creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were inhibited, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) level was enhanced by EA treatment in diabetic mice. In gastrocnemius, EA decreased Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 expressions to relieve STZ-induced muscle atrophy. Moreover, EA increased NRF-1 and PGC-1alpha expressions to alleviate mitochondrial disorder. Meanwhile, EA suppressed CHOP and GRP-87 levels to relieve ER stress. Lastly, EA inhibited BAX expressions and enhanced Bcl-2 expressions to mitigate apoptosis. In conclusion, EA is preventing the event of STZ-induced gastrocnemia by amelioration of mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress and apoptosis, and could be used in the protection and therapeutic of muscle atrophy in diabetes.

Ellagic acid enhances muscle endurance by affecting the muscle fiber type, mitochondrial biogenesis and function

Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural polyphenolic compound, which shows various effects, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and inhibition of platelet aggregation. In this study, we investigated the effect of EA on muscle endurance and explored its possible underlying mechanism. Our data showed that EA significantly improved muscle endurance in mice. EA increased the protein level of slow myosin heavy chain (MyHC) I and decreased the protein level of fast MyHC. We also found that the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway was activated by EA. Finally, our data indicated that EA could increase mitochondrial biogenesis and function by increasing the content of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), the concentration of ATP, the activities of succinodehydrogenase (SDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and the mRNA levels of ATP synthase (ATP5G), mtDNA transcription factor A (TFAM), mitochondrial transcription factor b1 (Tfb1m) and citrate synthase (Cs) in mice and C2C12 myotubes. These results proved that EA could enhance muscle endurance via transforming the muscle fiber type and improving mitochondrial biogenesis and function.

Role for Plant-Derived Antioxidants in Attenuating Cancer Cachexia

Cancer cachexia is the progressive muscle wasting and weakness experienced by many cancer patients. It can compromise the response to gold standard cancer therapies, impair functional capacity and reduce overall quality of life. Cancer cachexia accounts for nearly one-third of all cancer-related deaths and has no effective treatment. The pathogenesis of cancer cachexia and its progression is multifactorial and includes increased oxidative stress derived from both the tumor and the host immune response. Antioxidants have therapeutic potential to attenuate cancer-related muscle loss, with polyphenols, a group of plant-derived antioxidants, being the most widely investigated. This review describes the potential of these plant-derived antioxidants for treating cancer cachexia.

Ellagic acid ameliorates paraquat-induced liver injury associated with improved gut microbial profile

Paraquat, a widely used herbicide, causes environmental pollution, and liver injury in humans and animals. As a natural compound in fruits, ellagic acid (EA) shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study examines the beneficial effects of dietary EA against the paraquat-induced hepatic injury and further explores the underlying molecular mechanisms using a piglet model. Post-weaning piglets are fed basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, or 200 mg/kg EA for 3 weeks. At week 2, hepatic injury is induced by 4 mg/kg paraquat followed by 7 days recovery. EA supplementation significantly mitigates paraquat-induced hepatic fibrosis, steatosis, and high apoptotic rate. In agreement, EA supplementation reduces serum pro-inflammatory levels, ameliorates inflammatory cells infiltration into hepatic tissue, which are associated with suppressed NF-κB signaling during paraquat exposure. In addition, EA supplementation significantly improves activities of antioxidative enzymes which were correlated with activated Nrf2/Keap 1 signaling during paraquat exposure. Furthermore, EA supplementation restores cecal microbial community during paraquat exposure. The protective effect of EA is strongly linked with increased relative abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus amylovorus. Taken together, EA supplementation effectively reduced the occurrence of hepatic oxidative damage and inflammation induced by paraquat through modulating cecal microbial communities, which provides a novel nutritional therapeutic strategy for hepatic injury.

The effects of hesperidin on stricture formation in corrosive esophageal burns: an experimental study

AIM/BACKGROUND

Esophageal strictures in children that develop as a result of accidental ingestion of corrosive substances remain an important health problem. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Hesperidin, an effective bioflavonoid in the proliferative and exudative phase of inflammation, on the stricture formation in corrosive esophageal burns.

METHODS

Experimental esophageal burns in rats were created using a modified Gehanno and Guedon model with 20% NaOH. Rats were divided into 5 groups. In the Sham group, the distal esophagus was prepared and cannulated according to the model, but no NaOH was administrated. The esophageal burn was created with NaOH in the other groups. The burned groups were divided into two groups as untreated (T¹⁴, T²¹) and treated with 100 mg/kg/day Hesperidin (H¹⁴, H²¹) intraperitoneally, and these groups were divided into two according to their sacrification periods (14 and 21 days). Inflammation, fibrosis, and necrosis were graded by histopathological evaluation in all groups. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated using the weight of rats, stenosis index, and histopathological parameters.

RESULTS

Histopathologic damage scores such as inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis were lower in the H¹⁴ and H²¹ groups and higher in the T¹⁴ and T²¹ groups. And also stenosis index was found higher in T¹⁴ and T²¹ groups (p < 0.05), while it was similar to the Sham group in H¹⁴ and H²¹ groups. No statistically significant difference was found between the H¹⁴ and H²¹ groups in terms of stenosis index. When weights of the rats at the beginning and end of the experiment were compared, weights of the H¹⁴ and H²¹ groups and the Sham group were similar. There was a significant decrease in the weight of the rats in the T¹⁴ and T²¹ groups (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to use Hesperidin in preventing esophageal damage in an esophageal caustic burn model. It was shown that Hesperidin was effective in reducing macroscopic and microscopic histopathologic damage in the corrosive esophageal burn model, preventing the stricture formation, and has positive effects on nutrition in rats with an esophageal burn.

Investigation of the toxicological and inhibitory effects of some benzimidazole agents on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes

Benzimidazole, an anthelmintic used in the manufacture of human and veterinary drugs, is an important heterocyclic compound. In this work, I investigated the effect of drugs such as ricobendazole, thiabendazole, albendazole, and oxfendazole, on Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzyme activity. As kinetic studies, K_i and IC₅₀ values were calculated separately for each drug, respectively. Study findings have shown that benzimidazoles inhibit both AChE and BChE enzymes at the nanomolar level. The compound that best was inhibited the AChE enzyme ricobendazole, and it was that the best inhibited the BChE enzyme thiabendazole. IC₅₀ and K_i values were calculated 123.02 nM, 28.68 ± 8.46 nM for AChE and 64.26 nM, 12.08 ± 2.18 nM for BChE respectively. The types of inhibition indicated by the drugs were investigated and they were found to show non-competitive inhibition.

Influence of sodium ferulate on miR-133a and left ventricle remodeling in rats with myocardial infarction

To explore the influence of sodium ferulate (SF) on miR-133a and left ventricle remodeling (LVR) in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). The left coronary artery was ligated to create 36 ischemia-reperfusion (IR) rat models that were randomly divided into mock surgical group (MSG) (not ligated), model group (MG), and sodium ferulate group (SFG). After the successful modeling, SFG was intravenously injected with SF at the dose of 10 mg/kg, and the other two groups were injected with the same volume of normal saline. After 28 days, cardiac hemodynamic indices of all groups were measured; the myocardial infarction size (MIS), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and collagen volume fraction (CVF) were calculated, the content of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione catalase (GSH-px) were detected by ELISA, and miR-133a expression in myocardial tissues of the left ventricle (LV) was detected by RT-qPCR. SF improved the cardiac hemodynamic indices of rat model and reduced the MIS, LVMI and CVF. SF decreased the serum MDA level and increased the serum CAT, SOD and GSH-px levels in rat model. SF increased the expression of miR-133a in myocardial tissue of rat model. Therefore, SF could effectively reduce the myocardial injury of IR rats and improve the LVR. Its mechanism may be related to the antioxygenation and upregulation of miR-133a.

Phenolic compounds: current industrial applications, limitations and future challenges

Phenolic compounds are natural bioactive molecules found mainly in plant tissues that have shown interesting bioactivities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities, among others, which has led to great interest in their use by several industries. However, despite the large number of scientific studies on this topic, some issues still need to be studied and solved, such as the understanding of the main actions of these compounds in organisms. Besides their large potential applicability in industry, phenolic compounds still face some issues making it necessary to develop strategies to improve bioavailability, sustainable technologies of extraction and refinement, and stability procedures to increase the range of applicability. This review focuses on the most recent advances in the applications of phenolic compounds in different technological and medicinal areas. In addition, techniques to improve their sustainable resourcing, stability and bioavailability will be presented and discussed.

Hesperidin ameliorates liver ischemia/reperfusion injury via activation of the Akt pathway

Hesperidin (HDN) is a bioflavonoid that serves a role as an antioxidant in biological systems. However, although HDN has hydrogen radical- and hydrogen peroxide-removal activities, the role of HDN in liver ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the role of HDN in liver I/R injury. Male C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to warm partial liver I/R injury. Liver damage was evaluated by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, cytokine production, oxidative stress indicators, tissue hematoxylin-eosin staining and cell death. The Akt signaling pathway was examined to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. HDN had no effect on ALT levels and tissue damage in WT mice without liver I/R injury. However, HDN significantly ameliorated liver I/R injury as measured by serum ALT levels and necrotic tissue areas. HDN decreased malondialdehyde content, but increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione. In addition, HDN significantly attenuated the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β after liver I/R injury. Furthermore, HDN protected the liver against apoptosis in liver I/R injury by increasing the levels of Bcl-2 and decreasing the levels of cleaved-caspase 3. Mechanistically, the levels of phosphorylated Akt were elevated by HDN during liver I/R injury. In addition, HDN could induce Akt activation in hepatocytes in vitro. Most importantly, treatment with the Akt inhibitor LY294002 in WT mice blocked the hepatoprotective effects of HDN in liver I/R injury. In summary, the results of the present study suggested that HDN may protect against liver I/R injury through activating the Akt pathway by ameliorating liver oxidative stress, suppressing inflammation and preventing hepatocyte apoptosis. HDN may be a useful factor for liver injury protection and a potential therapeutic treatment for liver I/R injury in the future.

Hesperidin ameliorates hepatic dysfunction and dyslipidemia in male Wistar rats exposed to cadmium chloride

The ever-increasing human population with attendant industrialization poses serious global health challenge. Cadmium (Cd) with other heavy metals contribute greatly to environmental pollutions and humans are daily exposed to them, leading to diverse ailments. We explored whether Hesperidin (HSP) could protect against hepatic damage and dyslipidemia in Wistar rats exposed to Cd. Forty wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 8). Group 1 received 2 mL/kg body weight of normal saline; Group 2 received 100 mg/kg body weight of HSP while Group 3 received 5 mg/kg body weight of Cadmium Chloride (CdCl2) for 28 days. Group 4 received 100 mg/kg body weight of HSP and after 90 min, CdCl2 (5 mg/kg) body weight was administered for 28 days. Group 5 received 50 mg/kg body weight of HSP and after 90 min, CdCl2 (5 mg/kg) body weight was administered for 28 days. The serum lipid profiles, hepatic dysfunction and oxidative stress markers were determined using standard methods. Cd toxicity in rats prominently elevated serum activities of AST, ALT, ALP and levels of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, cholesterol, LDL-C and malondialdehyde with decreased levels of HDL-C, triglycerides, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione and body weights. The pre-treatment of HSP before Cd intoxication prevented the dysregulated activities of liver enzymes and levels of lipid profiles, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and other biomarkers investigated, thus suggesting anti-hyperlipidemic and hepato-protective potentials. HSP may have great potentials for development of therapeutics that could enhance the management of dyslipidemia and liver disorders associated with heavy metal exposure.

Cuphea calophylla var. mesostemon (Koehne) S.A. Graham: A Whole-Ethnopharmacological Investigation

Several species of Cuphea are used medicinally and are reported to have cardioprotective, diuretic, and antihypertensive properties. In Brazil, Cuphea species are collectively called "sete-sangrias" due to their similar appearances and are also used interchangeably for the same therapeutic purposes. So the aim of the study was to characterize morphoanatomy of leaves and stems, evaluate the safety, and investigate the diuretic, hypotensive, vasodilatory, and antioxidant properties of ethanol-soluble fraction of Cuphea calophylla var. mesostemon (Koehne) S.A. Graham. Initially, the morphoanatomical characterization of the leaves and stems of C. calophylla var. mesostemon was performed. For the pharmacological evaluation, the ethanol-soluble fraction from Cuphea calophylla (ESCC) was obtained and chemically characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometry techniques. Then, acute toxicity, diuretic, hypotensive, antioxidant, and vasodilatory effects were evaluated in Wistar rats. The main chemical compounds identified from ESCC were gallic acid derivatives, ellagitannins, and flavonoids. ESCC showed no acute toxic effect. ESCC showed no acute toxic effect and the estimated median lethal dose (LD₅₀) was above 2000 mg/kg. ESCC treatment (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) did not present any significant acute diuretic or hypotensive effects. However, an important reduction in the elimination of electrolytes was observed after the acute administration, and a significant increase in renal sodium elimination was observed after 7 days of treatment. In the cardiac tissue, the groups treated with ESCC presented significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity.

Quercetin postconditioning attenuates gastrocnemius muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Quercetin, an antioxidant derived from plants, can play a beneficial role in the protection of various tissues against ischemia-reperfusion injuries (IRI). The purpose of the present research was to investigate the protective effects of quercetin on gastrocnemius muscle ischemia-reperfusion. A total of 80 adult male Wistar rats (weights: 250-300 g) were divided into ten groups (n = 8 per group). We used silk 6.0 surgical thread to create a knit to occlude the femoral artery and vein for 3 hr. The treated groups, which comprised half of each experimental group, received intraperitoneal injections of 150 mg/kg quercetin after the ischemia. Blood flow was subsequently reestablished in the reperfusion phase. The rats were kept in reperfusion for 3, 7, 14, or 28 days after which they were killed with high doses of anesthetic drugs, and the gastrocnemius muscles were removed and fixed. Tissue processing, hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue staining, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) levels. A comparison between treated and untreated ischemic sites showed that on the third day of reperfusion, the severity of edema and NF-κB level decreased significantly; on the 7th day of reperfusion, the severity of edema and the levels of TNF-α and NF-κB decreased significantly; and on the 14th day of reperfusion, all of the parameters showed significant decreases. On the 28th day of reperfusion, there were significantly decreased levels of TNF-α and NF-κB, and decreased mast cell infiltration when compared with the untreated groups. According to the results, administration of quercetin after ischemia could significantly prevent gastrocnemius muscle IRI.

Antioxidants and antioxidant methods: an updated overview

Antioxidants had a growing interest owing to their protective roles in food and pharmaceutical products against oxidative deterioration and in the body and against oxidative stress-mediated pathological processes. Screening of antioxidant properties of plants and plant-derived compounds requires appropriate methods, which address the mechanism of antioxidant activity and focus on the kinetics of the reactions including the antioxidants. Many studies evaluating the antioxidant activity of various samples of research interest using different methods in food and human health have been conducted. These methods are classified, described, and discussed in this review. Methods based on inhibited autoxidation are the most suited for termination-enhancing antioxidants and for chain-breaking antioxidants, while different specific studies are needed for preventive antioxidants. For this purpose, the most common methods used in vitro determination of antioxidant capacity of food constituents were examined. Also, a selection of chemical testing methods was critically reviewed and highlighted. In addition, their advantages, disadvantages, limitations and usefulness were discussed and investigated for pure molecules and raw extracts. The effect and influence of the reaction medium on the performance of antioxidants are also addressed. Hence, this overview provides a basis and rationale for developing standardized antioxidant methods for the food, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplement industries. In addition, the most important advantages and shortcomings of each method were detected and highlighted. The chemical principles of these methods are outlined and critically discussed. The chemical principles of methods of 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) radical (ABTS^·+) scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·) radical scavenging, Fe³⁺-Fe²⁺ transformation assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, cupric ions (Cu²⁺) reducing power assay (Cuprac), Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity (FCR assay), peroxyl radical (ROO·), superoxide radical anion (O₂^·-), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical (OH·) scavenging assay, singlet oxygen (¹O₂) quenching assay, nitric oxide radical (NO·) scavenging assay and chemiluminescence assay are outlined and critically discussed. Also, the general antioxidant aspects of main food components were discussed by a number of methods, which are currently used for the detection of antioxidant properties of food components. This review consists of two main sections. The first section is devoted to the main components in the food and pharmaceutical applications. The second general section comprises some definitions of the main antioxidant methods commonly used for the determination of the antioxidant activity of components. In addition, some chemical, mechanistic and kinetic basis, and technical details of the used methods are given.

Toxicological effects of some antiparasitic drugs on equine liver glutathione S-Transferase enzyme activity

Benzimidazoles are antiparasitic drugs having an extensive application field like agriculture, medicine, and especially in veterinary medicine. In this study, we report the effect of some benzimidazole drugs such as ricobendazole (RBZ), thiabendazole (TBZ), albendazole (ALBA) and oxfendazole (OFZ) on glutathione s-transferase (GST) enzyme activity. The kinetics studies, IC₅₀ and Ki values of the tested drugs on GSTs enzyme activity were investigated. The obtained ranking of IC₅₀ values were found to be approximately RBZ (53.31 μM, r^2: 0.9778) < OFZ (57.75 μM, r^2: 0.9630) < ALBA (63.00 μM, r^2: 0.9443) < TBZ (69.30 μM, r^2: 0.9491). And the obtained ranking of Ki values of the tested drugs (RBZ, TBZ, ALBA, and OFZ) for GSTs enzyme activity was found to be approximately 26.37 ± 2.96, 44.01 ± 5.74, 39.82 ± 3.98 and 30.14 ± 3.03 μM, respectively. Experimental results showed that tested the benzimidazoles drugs have some significant inhibitory effect on GSTs enzyme activity. And also, it was determined that RBZ, ALBA, OFZ are competitive inhibition, but TBZ is non-competitive inhibitors on GSTs enzyme activity. RBZ drug showed the best inhibitory effect with the lowest Ki value.

Protective and anticancer effects of orange peel extract and naringin in doxorubicin treated esophageal cancer stem cell xenograft tumor mouse model

BACKGROUND

chemotherapy drugs are the common therapy for cancer cells with side effects. Recent studies reported that natural products may contribute to decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of orange peel extract (OPE) and its main compound; naringin (NR) to protect the side effects of doxorubicin (Dox) in esophageal cancer stem cells (CSCs) derived tumors in vivo.

METHODS

for this purpose, Esophageal cancer cell (YM1) derived spheres were treated in vitro with OPE, NR, Dox, Dox in combination with OPE or NR. The cell viability was assessed by XTT and the apoptosis was measured using Annexin/7-AAD and the cell cycle was also quantified by using PI staining method. The pluripotency related genes expression was carried out using qRT-PCR The protective effects of OPE and NR were evaluated by body weight evaluation and oxidative stress factors: malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) measurement in xenograft mice tumor model injected with Dox.

RESULTS

ESCC CSCs overexpress SOX₂ and OCT4 pluripotency genes. OPE or NR can protect the cellular toxicity of Dox in vitro mainly by decreasing cellular apoptosis of ESCC CSCs however S-phase cell cycle arrest has not been affected significantly. In vivo experiments revealed that the use of Dox simultaneously with OPE or NR not only can reduce the tumor size but also the body weight of the treated nude mice were maintained in comparison to Dox alone. In contrast to Dox alone, Dox in combination with OPE or NR showed less systemic toxicity and decreased oxidative stress fraction circulation, however, OPE seemed as more protective.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that these natural compounds can be used as adjuvant therapy to lower systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents like DOX in ESCC cancer stem cells treatment.

Protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate against ischemia reperfusion injury in rat skeletal muscle via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway

AIMS

Previous studies have demonstrated that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) had certain protective effects on myocardial and renal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. We aimed to research the special effects and underling mechanisms of EGCG on skeletal muscle I/R injury.

MAIN METHOD

We established an experimental rat model of I/R skeletal muscle injury and treated with different doses of EGCG. Hematoxylin eosin staining, TUNEL assay, ELISA, qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to evaluate the effects of EGCG.

KEY FINDINDS

EGCG significantly improved skeletal muscle function of I/R injury rats. Moreover, EGCG had positive effects on decreasing apoptosis of skeletal muscle tissues, alleviating oxidative stress damage and suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines. Further, EGCG had positive effects on activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

SIGNIFICANCE

EGCG might be a powerful candidate compound for alleviating I/R injury in rat skeletal muscle.

Influence of some β-lactam drugs on selected antioxidant enzyme and lipid peroxidation levels in different rat tissues

Antioxidant enzymes play an important role in body defense and free radical removal. Cephalosporins are β-lactam antibiotics. In this work, the effects of cefazolin, cefuroxime and cefoperazone which are cephalosporins on some selected antioxidant enzyme and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as lipid peroxidation product were investigated in kidney, liver, and brain tissues of albino female rats. Ninety-six albino rats were randomly divided into 16 groups of equal number (n = 6). 50 mg/kg cefazolin, 25 mg/kg cefuroxime, and 100 mg/kg cefoperazone were injected intraperitoneally to the groups (5th-8th and 9th-12th, and 13th-16th groups), respectively. The changes in glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were studied in each time point group and a time-dependent manner (at the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th hour). In addition, MDA levels were examined in all the tissues. The drugs evaluated in this study had different effects on the same enzyme in different tissues depending on time. MDA levels especially in cefazolin and cefoperazone experiments were lower in all the tissues; however, MDA levels were higher in brain and kidney tissues in the cefuroxime groups in a time-dependent manner (p < 0.05). These results revealed the complex effects of the tested drugs on different tissues at different time points. Therefore, the dose and use of these drugs should be adjusted correctly.

The Preventive Effects and the Mechanisms of Action of Navel Orange Peel Hydroethanolic Extract, Naringin, and Naringenin in N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol-Induced Liver Injury in Wistar Rats

N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP) or acetaminophen is the most common drug ingredient worldwide. It is found in more than 600 different over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Its long-term and overdose use is highly toxic and may result in liver injury. Thus, this study was designed to assess the preventive effects and to suggest the mechanisms of action of the navel orange peel hydroethanolic extract, naringin, and naringenin in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. APAP was administered to male Wistar rats at a dose level of 0.5 g/kg body weight (b.w.) by oral gavage every other day for 4 weeks. APAP-administered rats were treated with the navel orange peel hydroethanolic extract (50 mg/kg b.w.), naringin (20 mg/kg b.w.), and naringenin (20 mg/kg b.w.) by oral gavage every other day during the same period of APAP administration. The treatments of APAP-administered rats with the peel extract, naringin, and naringenin produced a significant decrease in the elevated serum AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and GGT activities as well as total bilirubin and TNF-α levels while they induced a significant increase in the lowered serum albumin and IL-4 levels. The treatments also resulted in a significant decrease in the elevated liver lipid peroxidation and enhanced the liver GSH content and SOD, GST, and GPx activities as compared with APAP-administered control; the peel extract was the most potent in improving the liver LPO, GSH content, and GPx activity. In addition, the three treatments significantly downregulated the elevated hepatic proapoptotic mediators p53, Bax, and caspase-3 and significantly upregulated the suppressed antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-2, in APAP-administered rats. In association, the treatments markedly amended the APAP-induced liver histopathological deteriorations that include hepatocyte steatosis, cytoplasmic vacuolization, hydropic degeneration, and necrosis together with mononuclear leucocytic and fibroblastic inflammatory cells' infiltration. In conclusion, the navel orange peel hydroethanolic extract, naringin, and naringenin may exert their hepatopreventive effects in APAP-administered rats via enhancement of the antioxidant defense system and suppression of inflammation and apoptosis.

Preliminary studies on therapeutic effect of ethanolic extract of Tylophora villosa leaves against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

This study intended to investigate the therapeutic effect of ethanolic extract of Tylophora villosa leaves (E2TL) against paracetamol (PC)-induced hepatotoxicity (PCIH) in mice (Mus musculus). PCIH were generated using daily 250 mg/kg body weight (bw) PC administration by gavage for seven days, and then daily 27.5; 55.0; 82.5; 110.0; or 220.0 mg/kg bw E2TL were treated by gavage for seven or fourteen days. Meanwhile, the controls were given solvent only in the same manner. Mortality, blood glucose, and condition (color, weight, volume) of the livers were observed on day 15 (D15). Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SG0T) were examined on D15, D22, and D30, and then malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined on D15. Results of this study revealed that on D15, the dosage of 110.0 mg/kg bw E2TL most effectively decreased MDA due to PCIH, from 6.78 ± 1.70 μmol/L to 3.45 ± 0.43 μmol/L, approaching the control condition (2.45 ± 0.05 μmol/L). PC administration was really toxic dosage and caused 13.3 % mortality. Blood glucose, weight, and volume of the liver decreased as the effect of PC administration, and then 220.0 mg/kg bw E2TL treatment could recover the condition as well as the controls. Color of the liver indicated a similar recovery by E2TL treatment. SGPT and SG0T increased significantly by PC administration, and this PCIH facts could be recovered gradually near the controls according to the dosages (55.0; 110.0; or 220.0 mg/kg bw) and duration (seven or fourteen days) of E2TL treatment. It could be concluded that E2TL showed therapeutic effect against PCIH in M. musculus.

The Protective Effects of p-Coumaric Acid on Acute Liver and Kidney Damages Induced by Cisplatin

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of p-Coumaric acid (PCA) on cisplatin (CIS)-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in Wistar adult rats for 24 h compared to untreated control groups. In this experiment, 40 Wistar adult rats were utilized and divided randomly into five groups. After 24 h of CIS administration, liver and kidneys were harvested and assessed by H&amp;E staining. Also, markers for oxidative stress and antioxidants were analyzed in theses tissues. Compared to the control group, accumulation of malondialdehyde was increased in groups treated CIS, whereas superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione levels were distinctly diminished in this group. The study's histopathological findings such as hydropic degeneration, vascular congestion, sinusoidal dilatation in hepatocytes and tubular necrosis in kidneys were in accordance with the results of markers for oxidative stress. PCA may prevent hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity by increased antioxidant enzymes and reduced oxidant parameters.

Chrysin Protects Rat Kidney from Paracetamol-Induced Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Autophagy: A Multi-Biomarker Approach

Paracetamol (PC) is a safe analgesic and antipyretic drug at therapeutic doses, and it is widely used in clinics. However, at high doses, it can induce hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Chrysin (CR) is a natural flavonoid that has biological activities that include being an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory, and an anti-cancer agent. The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of CR against PC-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. CR was given orally via feeding needle to male Sprague Dawley rats as a single daily dose of 25 or 50 mg/kg for six days. PC was administered orally via feeding needle as a single dose on the sixth day. PC caused significant glutathione depletion, lipid peroxidation, increased serum toxicity markers (serum urea and creatinine), and reductions in activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase — SOD, catalase — CAT, and glutathione peroxidase — GPx). The renal protective effect of CR was associated with decreasing the regulation of serum renal toxicity markers and increasing the regulation of antioxidant enzyme activities. Additionally, PC led to significant increases in the levels of inflammatory markers including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-33 (IL-33). Furthermore, PC induced apoptotic tissue damage by increasing cysteine aspartate-specific protease-3 (caspase-3) activity and autophagic tissue damage by increasing the expression of light chain 3B (LC3B). CR therapy significantly decreased these values in rats. This study demonstrated that CR has antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-autophagic effects on PC-induced kidney toxicity in rats.