Therapeutic impact of purified Trichoderma viride L-asparaginase in murine model of liver cancer and in vitro Hep-G2 cell line

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the common cancers, but difficult to diagnose and treat. L-asparaginase has been introduced in the treatment protocol of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) since the 1960s with a good outcome and increased survival rates to nearly 90%. Moreover, it has been found to have therapeutic potential in solid tumors. Production of glutaminase-free-L-asparaginase is of interest to avoid glutaminase-related toxicity and hypersensitivity. In the current study, an extracellular L-asparaginase that is free of L-glutaminase was purified from the culture filtrate of an endophytic fungus Trichoderma viride. The cytotoxic effect of the purified enzyme was evaluated in vitro against a panel of human tumor cell lines and in vivo against male Wister albino mice intraperitoneally injected with diethyl nitrosamine (200 mg/kg bw), followed by (after 2 weeks) oral administration of carbon tetrachloride (2 mL/kg bw). This dose was repeated for 2 months, and after that, the blood samples were collected to estimate hepatic and renal injury markers, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress parameters.

RESULTS

L-asparaginase was purified from T. viride culture filtrate with 36 purification folds, 688.1 U/mg specific activity, and 38.9% yield. The highest antiproliferative activity of the purified enzyme was observed against the hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2) cell line, with an IC50 of 21.2 g/mL, which was higher than that observed for MCF-7 (IC50 34.2 g/mL). Comparing the DENA-intoxicated group to the negative control group, it can be demonstrated that L-asparaginase adjusted the levels of the liver function enzymes and the hepatic injury markers that had previously changed with DENA intoxication. DENA causes kidney dysfunction and altered serum albumin and creatinine levels as well. Administration of L-asparaginase was found to improve the levels of the tested biomarkers including kidney and liver function tests. L-asparaginase treatment of the DENA-intoxicated group resulted in a significant improvement in the liver and kidney tissues to near normal similar to the healthy control group.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that this purified T. viride L-asparaginase may be able to delay the development of liver cancer and may be used as a potential candidate for future application in medicine as an anticancer medication.

Curcumin and vitamin C improve immunity of kidney via gene expression against diethyl nitrosamine induced nephrotoxicity in rats:In vivo and molecular docking studies

Kidney has a crucial role in immunity, so any toxicity occurs for the kidney will result in reduced immunity. The aim of this study is to improve the immune response of insufficient kidneys through immune-related genes. Diethyl Nitrosamine has been used to cause kidney damage in animal models, vitamin C and curcumin have been used to treat impaired kidney. Renal function (urea, uric acid and creatinine) and oxidative stress parameters (superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase) will be evaluated in this research work. Molecular docking also will be performed to investigate the role of vitamin C and curcumin in targeting immune response proteins. Also, Complementary component 3, Lipocalin-2, Toll-like receptor 2,Toll-like receptor 4, Kidney injury molecule-1, Interleukin 6, Interleukin-10, Tumor necrosis factor and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases will be investigated. The obtained results showed that vitamin C and curcumin have good effects in the treatment of impaired kidneys, this was also observed in renal function and oxidative stress parameters, expression levels of proteins and histopathological examinations.

Ameliorative Effects of some Natural Antioxidants against Blood and Cardiovascular Toxicity of Oral Subchronic Exposure to Silicon Dioxide, Aluminum Oxide, or Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Wistar Rats

The present study determines the possible protective role of fig fruit extract with olive oil and date palm fruit extract (FOD) in decreasing the oral subchronic blood and cardiovascular toxicity of SiO₂NPs, Al₂O₃NPs, or ZnONPs. The present study used 80 male Wistar rats (8 groups, n = 10) distributed according to the treatment. The FOD treatments were used at their recommended antioxidant doses. All nanoparticles (NPs) were given orally and daily at doses of 100 mg/kg for 75 days. The oral administration of different NPs alone led to dramatic, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, blood coagulation, endothelial dysfunction markers, myocardial enzymes, hematological parameters, lipid profile, and histopathological features compared with the control group. The FOD-NP-treated groups recorded significantly ameliorated blood and cardiovascular toxicity hazards compared to the groups administered with the NPs alone. In conclusion, the administration of FOD provides considerable chemopreventive and ameliorative effects against NP toxicity.

Protective effect of fenofibrate against high-fat-high-fructose diet induced non-obese NAFLD in rats

The present study evaluated the protective effects of fenofibrate on liver function, oxidant-antioxidant balance, and insulin resistance (IR) in rats fed high-fat-high-fructose diet (HFFD). Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats (110-130 gm) were allocated into four equal groups (n = 6). Rats in group I were fed a normal diet for 4 weeks. Rats in group II were fed a normal diet with fenofibrate at 50 mg/kg/day orally for four weeks. Rats in group III were fed a normal diet mixed with 25% palm oil and given 60% fructose solution orally for 4 weeks. Rats in group IV were fed a normal diet mixed with 25% palm oil, 60% oral fructose solution, and fenofibrate at 50 mg/kg/day orally for four weeks. After experimental induction, serum and liver tissue samples were collected to determine lipid profiles, glycemic status, antioxidant status, oxidative and stress markers, and histopathology of liver tissues. The results of the present study revealed that fenofibrate prevents the occurrence of fatty liver, enhancing glycemic status, decreasing oxidative stress, and improving antioxidant status. It can be concluded that fenofibrate has a lipotropic and antidiabetic role.