Potassium bromate cytotoxicity in the Wister rat model of chronic gastric ulcers: Possible reversal by protocatechuic acid

Protective effect of Urtica dioica in induced neurobehavioral changes, nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity after chronic exposure to potassium bromate in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Chronic exposure to potassium bromate (KBrO₃), a toxic halogen in the environment, has become a global problem of public health. The current study aims to elucidate for the first time the effect of Urtica dioica (UD) on behavioural changes, oxidative stress, and histopathological changes induced by KBrO₃ in the cerebellum, kidney, liver and other organs of adult rats.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The rats were divided into four groups: group 1 served as a control received physiological serum, Group 2 received KBrO₃ (2 g/L of drinking water), group 3 received KBrO₃ and Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg), and group 4 received KBrO₃ and Urtica dioica (400 mg/kg). We then measured behavioural changes, oxidative stress, and biochemical and histological changes in the cerebellum, liver, kidney and others organs in these rats. After 30 days of treatment, the animals were sacrificed.

RESULTS

We observed significant behavioural changes in KBrO₃-exposed rats. When investigating redox homeostasis in the cerebellum, we found that mice treated with KBrO₃ had increased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in the cerebellum. In addition, it inhibits hepatic and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), attenuates KBrO₃-mediated enzyme depletion, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase enzymatic and antioxidant activities in the liver and kidney. Rats that were co-managed with Urtica dioica at the high portion of 400 mg/kg indicated a higher effect than that treated with the low dose of 100 mg/kg practically in all the tests carried out.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that Urtica dioica is a potential therapeutic agent for oxidative stress associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) modulates oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) - induced Crohn's colitis in Wistar rats

Potassium bromate (KBrO₃) present in consumed ozonised water was recently documented to exacerbate experimental gastric ulcer. Information, however, is vague as regards its effects in the colon where water reabsorption occurs. In this study, we observed the possible effects of KBrO₃ on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) - induced Crohn's colitis (CC). Wistar rats (180-200 g) were divided into six groups (n = 10): (i) control; (ii) untreated CC (induced by 1.4% NaOH; intra-rectal administration); and (iii-vi) CC treated with vitamin E, KBrO₃, vitamin E+KBrO₃, and sulphazalazine, respectively, for 7 days. Body weight and stool score were monitored daily. By day 3 and 7, excised colon was evaluated for ulcer scores and biochemical and histological analysis. Blood samples collected on days 3 and 7 were assayed for haematological indices using standard methods. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Platelet/lymphocyte ratio, colonic ulcer score, malondialdehyde, and mast cells were significantly decreased while colonic sulfhydryl, and Ca²⁺- and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activities were increased following KBrO₃ treatment compared with untreated CC. These findings suggest that KBrO₃ may mitigate against NaOH-induced CC via inhibiting mast cell population and oxidative and inflammatory content but stimulating colonic sulfhydryl and Ca²⁺- and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activities.

Gastro-Protective Effects of Albizia anthelmintica Leaf Extract on Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Wistar Rats: In Silico and In Vivo Studies

We have previously reported that the leaf extract of Albizia anthelmintica exhibited substantial antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties in vivo. We also comprehensively characterized the active phytoconstituents and found several flavonoids and galloyl glucosides derivatives. In the current work, we explored the gastroprotective effects of the leaf extract in an indomethacin-induced ulcer model and the mechanisms involved. The rats being pretreated with the tested extract (100 and 200 mg kg-1) significantly prevented gastric lesions by 87.4% and 92.3%, respectively, and they had no structural derangements in the gastric mucosa. The extract significantly reduced the elevated levels of IKκB, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and lipid peroxidation; increased the reduced level of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity; and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the indomethacin-induced ulcer model. The protective activities of the extract were similar in most aspects to those exerted by the known anti-ulcer drug famotidine. These activities might be attributed to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and the reduction of iNOS levels. In conclusion, Albizia anthelmintica is a potential candidate for management of gastric ulcers with antioxidant properties.