Rat Plasma Oxidation Status After Nigella Sativa L. Botanical Treatment in CCL4-Treated Rats

The effect of aqueous extract of Iranian oak (Quercus brantii) on antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress in beta-thalassemia patients: Randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Frequent administration of blood in β-thalassemia patients can lead to over-loaded iron, a reduction in the levels of antioxidant activities in the body, and oxidative stress. This study was done to evaluate the antioxidant and protective effect of aqueous oak (Quercus brantii) extract supplementation on these patients.

METHODS

This clinical trial was performed on 60 major β thalassemia patients dividing them into intervention and control groups. In addition to taking desferrioxamine (DFO), the control and intervention groups received respectively placebo capsule supplementation and aqueous Quercus extract capsules (300 mg/day) for 3 months. Serum lipid profiles (LDL-c, HDL-c, triglyceride), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Glucose, Uric acid, urea nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine, LFT (Liver Function Tests) such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, Total bilirubin, Direct bilirubin, ferritin, MDA and carbonyl protein (CO) levels were measured before and after the period. In addition, the activity of catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured in the red blood cell. Furthermore, antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of aqueous Quercus were recorded to standardize capsule formulation.

RESULTS

Mean serum MDA, and protein CO, significantly decreased in the intervention group with β-TM after 3 months of treatment with Quercus extract. In addition, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme and Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) significantly increased in comparison with the control group. Changes in serum creatinine, BUN, and alanine transferase were not significant. In the study, Quercus extract capsules contain 48/56 mg gallic acid/g (dry extract) total phenol, 58/6 mg/g (dry extract), and flavonoids of 63/8 μg/ml antioxidant power which by GC/MS analysis has been measured. At the end of the study, serum MDA decreased from 48.65 ± 8.74 to 43.94 ± 10.39 μ mol/l after administration of oak extract and protein CO dropped from 2.44 ± 0.38 to 1.2 ± 0.31 nmol DNPH/mg protein after administration of the oak extract. At the end of the study serum, TAC increased in patients interventional group from 907 ± 319 to 977 ± 327 μmol FeSO4/l compared to the control group 916 ± 275 to 905.233 ± 233 μmol FeSO4/l with placebo, and SOD increased from 1577 ± 325 to 2079 ± 554 U/l (compared to 1687 ± 323 U/l with placebo). The treatment effect of Quercus was measured using a mixed-effects model of variance analysis for changes in MDA, protein CO, TAC, and SOD, with significant effects being demonstrated for each laboratory parameter (P = 0.15, P = 0.001, P = 0.02, and P < 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Aqueous Quercus extract, due to its high antioxidant potential, reduced MDA, serum carbonyl protein, and increased superoxide dismutase activity effectively decreased serum OS and enhanced serum antioxidant capacity in patients with β-thalassemia major. oak given as an adjuvant therapy to standard iron chelators may provide an improvement in the OS measurements obtained in these patients.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

This study was submitted, evaluated, and approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT: http://www.irct.ir; IRCT2015101411819N4), which was established for national medical schools in Iran.

Thymoquinone: A Review of Pharmacological Importance, Oxidative Stress, COVID-19, and Radiotherapy

Widely consumed worldwide, Nigella sativa (NS) is a medicinal herb commonly used in various alternative medicine systems such as Unani and Tibb, Ayurveda, and Siddha. Recommended for regular use in Tibb-e-Nabwi (Prophetic Medicine), NS is considered one of the most notable forms of healing medicine in Islamic literature. Thymoquinone (TQ), the main component of the essential oil of NS, has been reported to have many properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antineoplastic. Its chemical structure indicates antiviral potential against many viruses, including the hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and other coronavirus diseases. Interestingly, molecular docking studies have demonstrated that TQ can potentially inhibit the development of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by binding to the receptor site on the transmembrane serine proteinase 2 (the activator enzyme that attaches the virus to the cell). In addition, TQ has been shown to be effective against cancer cells due to its inhibitory effect by binding to the different regions of MDM2, according to the proposed molecular docking study. Detailed in this review is the origin of TQ, its significance in alternative medicine, pharmacological value, potential as a cancer anti-proliferative agent, use against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and treatment of other diseases.

Pimpinella anisum L. fruit: Chemical composition and effect on rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a group of chronic liver disorders caused by irregular accumulation of fat in liver tissue. The current study aimed to evaluate chemical composition and the effect of fruit extract and essential oil of Pimpinella anisum in experimental model of NAFLD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty rats were randomly divided into ten groups, six in each group. NAFLD was induced in rats using choline-deficient diet for 90 days, followed by 30 days of treatment with 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day of hydroethanolic extract (AE) as well as 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/kg/day of essential oil (AO). Blood samples were collected in the final day, and lipid profile, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as biomarkers of oxidative damage including myeloperoxidase, lipid peroxidation, total thiol molecules, and ferric-reducing ability of plasma were measured. Liver tissue sections of the sacrificed rats were also assessed histologically.

RESULTS

AE and AO significantly reversed increase in the plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triacylglycerol and decrease in high-density lipoprotein level in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Serum levels of AST and ALT were also significantly modified by treatment with AE and AO (P < 0.05). Biomarkers of oxidative stress were modulated by administration of AE and AO (P < 0.05). Histological assessments also confirmed the effectiveness of treatments by reduced macrovesicular steatohepatitis.

CONCLUSION

It could be concluded that P. anisum fruit extract and essential oil have beneficial effects in the treatment of NAFLD. Further studies are necessary to confirm safety and efficacy of this medicinal plant in clinical setting.

Biochemical evidence on the potential role of organophosphates in hepatic glucose metabolism toward insulin resistance through inflammatory signaling and free radical pathways

Several studies show that organophosphate pesticides exert several effects on glucose homeostasis. The current study investigates the influence of subchronic exposure to malathion (MT) on hepatic gluconeogenesis in relation to acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the rat. MT was administered by gavage at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg for 32 days. Fasting hyperglycemia was seen in line with an increased activity of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, glucose 6-phosphatase and tumor necrosis factor α. In addition to the impaired glucose tolerance and inhibition of AChE in a dose-dependent manner, there were significant increases in hepatic lipid peroxidation, carbonyl groups and 8-deoxyguanosine as the biomarkers of reactive oxygen species–mediated damage to lipid, protein and DNA, respectively. Altered quality of the liver in glucose production especially gluconeogenesis could be a compensatory mechanism against MT toxicity or even result in tissue damage. MT-induced insulin resistance in the liver occurs through oxidative and inflammatory signaling pathways.

Amelioration of experimental colitis by a novel nanoselenium-silymarin mixture

BACKGROUND

Silymarin has intracellular antioxidant property and inhibits activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in low concentrations and reduces tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 levels, cyclooxygenase (COX), and angiogenesis. Selenium is one of the necessary trace element nutrients for human and animals. Selenium nanoparticles (nano-Se) have more bioavailability with less toxicity.

AIMS

To investigate the combination effect of silymarin and nano-Se on inhibition of NF-κB, proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress biomarkers in the experimental colitis.

METHODS

Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) was used to induce colitis. After TNBS instillation, rats were distributed into six groups, containing silymarin and nano-Se alone or in combination, dexamethasone, negative control with no treatment and the last one was normal sham rats. All drugs were administered for 7 days. Colon samples were scored macroscopically and microscopically. The levels of activated NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl (PC), and the antioxidant power of the colon homogenates were determined.

RESULT

A significant decrease in NF-κB activity in treated groups was observed. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, MPO, lipid peroxidation, and PC were reduced and an improvement in antioxidant power of treated groups was seen. Combination of silymarin and nano-Se were more effective than each one alone in improvement of NF-κB, TNF-α, antioxidant power, and lipid peroxidation values, although this difference was not significant in other factors.

CONCLUSION

Co-administration of silymarin and nano-Se with a good antioxidant profile and inhibition of NF-κB is a possible candidate for better management of inflammatory bowel disease.

Improvement of inflammatory and toxic stress biomarkers by silymarin in a murine model of type one diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is characterized by an impairment of the insulin-secreting beta cells with an immunologic base. Inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β, and free radicals are believed to play key roles in destruction of pancreatic β cells. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Silybum marianum seed extract (silymarin), a combination of several flavonolignans with immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1DM in mouse. Experimental T1DM was induced in male albino mice by IV injection of multiplelow- doses of STZ for 5 days. Seventy-two male mice in separate groups received various doses of silymarin (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) concomitant or after induction of diabetes for 21 days. Blood glucose and pancreatic biomarkers of inflammation and toxic stress (IL-1β, TNF-α, myeloperoxidase, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, thiol molecules, and total antioxidant capacity) were determined. Silymarin treatment reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β and oxidative stress mediators like myeloperoxidase activity, lipid peroxidation, carbonyl and thiol content of pancreatic tissue in an almost dose dependent manner. No marked difference between the prevention of T1DM and the reversion of this disease by silymarin was found. Use of silymarin seems to be helpful in T1DM when used as pretreatment or treatment. Benefit of silymarin in human T1DM remains to be elucidated by clinical trials.