Histological, Biochemical, and Hematological Effects of Goniothalamin on Selective Internal Organs of Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

Bioselective and Radiopaque Zinc-Biopolymeric Complex-Based Porous Biomaterials Promote Mammalian Tissue Ingrowth In Vivo While Inhibiting Microbial Biofilm Gene Expression and Biofilm Formation

Metal-organic complexes have shown astounding bioactive properties; however, they are rarely explored as biomaterials. Recent studies showed that carboxymethyl-chitosan (CMC) genipin-conjugated zinc biomimetic scaffolds have unique bioselective properties. The biomaterial was reported to be mammalian cell-friendly; at the same time, it was found to discourage microbial biofilm formation on its surface, which seemed to be a promising solution to addressing the problem of trauma-associated biofilm formation and development of antimicrobial resistance. However, the mechanically frail characteristics and zinc overload raise concerns and limit the potential of the said biomaterials. Hence, the present work is focused on improving the strength of the earlier scaffold formulations, testing its in vivo efficacy and reaffirming its action against biofilm-forming microbe Staphylococcus aureus. Scaling up of CMC proportion increased rigidity, and 8% CMC was found to be the ideal concentration for robust scaffold fabrication. Freeze-dried CMC scaffolds with or without genipin (GP) cross-linking were conjugated with zinc using 2 M zinc acetate solution. Characterization results indicated that the CMC-Zn scaffolds, without genipin, showed mechanical properties close to bone fillers, resist in vitro enzymatic degradation until 4 weeks, are porous in nature, and have radiopacity close to mandibular bones. Upon implantation in a subcutaneous pocket of Wistar rats, the scaffolds showed tissue in-growth with simultaneous degradation without any signs of toxicity past 28 days. Neither were there any signs of toxicity in any of the vital organs. Considering many superior properties among the other formulations, the CMC-Zn scaffolds were furthered for biofilm studies. CMC-Zn showed negligible S. aureus biofilm formation on its surface as revealed by an alamar blue-based study. RT-PCR analysis revealed that CMC-Zn downregulated the expression of pro-biofilm effector genes such as icaC and clfB. A protein docking study predicted the inhibitory mechanism of CMC-Zn. Although it binds strongly when alone, at high density, it may cause inactivation of the transmembrane upstream activators of the said genes, thereby preventing their dimerization and subsequent inactivation of the effector genes. In conclusion, zinc-conjugated carboxymethyl-chitosan scaffolds are mechanically robust, porous, yet biodegradable, harmless to the host in the long term, they are radiopaque and prevent biofilm gene expression in notorious microbes; hence, they could be a suitable candidate for bone filler applications.

Vitamin D ameliorates celecoxib cardiotoxicity in a doxorubicin heart failure rat model via enhancement of the antioxidant defense and minimizing mitochondrial dysfunction

Recent evidence suggests the mechanistic role of mitochondria and oxidative stress in the development of celecoxib-induced cardiotoxicity. On the other, it has reported the positive effects of vitamin D on oxidative stress and the maintenance of mitochondrial functions. This current study examined the cardiac effects of celecoxib, doxorubicin, vitamin D, and a combination of them in rats. The effect of 10 days of celecoxib (100 mg/kg/day), doxorubicin (2.5 mg/kg), vitamin D (60,000 U/kg), and their combination was studied on cardiac function according to serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as well as mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenases (SDH) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial swelling, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Results showed that celecoxib and its combination with doxorubicin led to abnormality in paws and limbs, increased pressure in the eyes, blindness and animal death (in about 75% of the animals under study). Moreover, celecoxib and its combination with doxorubicin significantly increased cardiotoxicity biomarkers, oxidative stress markers (GSH and MDA), and mitochondrial toxicity parameters (SDH, ROS formation, MMP collapse, mitochondrial swelling). However, the combination of vitamin D with celecoxib and celecoxib + doxorubicin caused a significant reversal of deformity in paws and limbs, increased pressure in the eye, blindness, and animal death, as well as cardiotoxicity, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial parameters. This study proved for the first time the beneficial effect of vitamin D on celecoxib-induced cardiotoxicity, which is aggravated in the presence of doxorubicin through the maintenance of mitochondrial functions and its antioxidant potential.

Constipation anti-aging effects by dairy-based lactic acid bacteria

Constipation, which refers to difficulties in defecation and infrequent bowel movement in emptying the gastrointestinal system that ultimately produces hardened fecal matters, is a health concern in livestock and aging animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of dairy-isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains to alleviate constipation as an alternative therapeutic intervention for constipation treatment in the aging model. Rats were aged via daily subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (600 mg/body weight [kg]), prior to induction of constipation via oral administration of loperamide hydrochloride (5 mg/body weight [kg]). LAB strains (L. fermentum USM 4189 or L. plantarum USM 4187) were administered daily via oral gavage (1 × 10 Log CFU/day) while the control group received sterile saline. Aged rats as shown with shorter telomere lengths exhibited increased fecal bulk and soften fecal upon administration of LAB strains amid constipation as observed using the Bristol Stool Chart, accompanied by a higher fecal moisture content as compared to the control (p < 0.05). Fecal water-soluble metabolite profiles showed a reduced concentration of threonine upon administration of LAB strains compared to the control (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis also showed that the administration of LAB strains contributed to a higher colonic goblet cell count as compared to the control (p < 0.05). The present study illustrates the potential of dairy-sourced LAB strains as probiotics to ameliorate the adverse effect of constipation amid aging, and as a potential dietary intervention strategy for dairy foods including yogurt and cheese.

Nephroprotective effect of PHYMIN-22 on ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis rat model

The present study was designed to evaluate the antiurolithiatic effect of PHYMIN-22 against ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats. Healthy Albino male rats with 200-230 g body weight were randomly divided into five groups, each with 5 animals, control group, EG group (0.75%), PHYMIN-22 treatment group (0.75% EG 14 days and 100 mg/kg PHYMIN-22 next 14 days), PHYMIN-22 drug control group (100 mg/kg) and cystone treatment group (0.75% EG 14 days and 750 mg/kg cystone next 14 days). Biochemical testing was adopted for measuring the blood and urine parameters, as well as the level of antioxidants including superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (Cat), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) in kidney tissues. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was utilized to observe the histopathological changes in the kidney tissue. End of the experiment the PHYMIN-22 treatment reduced the urine and serum calcium (p < 0.01; p < 0.01), oxalate (p < 0.01; p < 0.01), phosphate (p < 0.01; p < 0.01), uric acid (p < 0.001; p < 0.001), protein (p < 0.001; p < 0.001), and creatinine (p < 0.001; p < 0.001) respectively, serum indicators ALT (p < 0.001) and AST (p < 0.001) level and non-enzymic antioxidant GSH (p < 0.001) compared to EG induced urolithiasis animals (Diseased control group). PHYMIN-22 treatment significantly increased urine volume, pH, and body weight, and antioxidants include CAT (p < 0.001; p < 0.001), SOD (p ˃ 0.05; p < 0.05), and GPX (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) compared to Diseased control group animals. The effect of PHYMIN-22 on EG-induced urolithiasis animals could be by improving kidney function, normalizing the urine and serum parameters, maintaining the kidney antioxidants, eliminating crystal deposition, and excretion of unwanted ions from the kidney and urinary tract.

Goniothalamin prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury and inflammation via TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway

Goniothalamin (GTN) is a natural compound isolated from Goniothalamus species. It is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. However, there is a paucity of scientific data about its toxicity. This study investigated GTN's anti-inflammatory mechanism and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury in mice. Mice were distributed into four groups and injected with GTN intraperitoneally (Dosage-50 and 100 mg/kg). We analyzed the wet/dry weight ratio, infiltrated inflammatory cell count, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and histopathological changes in the lung tissues of the mice. Results revealed GTN alleviated LPS-induced inflammation in mice. Western Blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques were used to investigate the effect of GTN on pro-inflammatory cytokines and proteins involved in the MAPK and nuclear factor-B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Cytokines (macrophage migration inhibitory factor, interleukin [IL]-13, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β) were inhibited by GTN. However, IL-10 was upregulated. Western blot analysis indicated that GTN suppressed the phosphorylation of jun N-terminal kinase, nuclear factor NF-kappa-B p65, I-kappa-B, extracellular signal-regulated kinases, NF-κB, and p38. GTN also suppressed the expression of TLR-4 protein, thereby, inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Thus, GTN can effectively prevent and cure acute lung injury.

Phosphorylation of Alkali Extracted Mandua Starch by STPP/STMP for Improving Digestion Resistibility

The chemical modifications of starch granules have been adopted to improve the characteristics, viz., paste clarity, resistant starch content, thermal stability, and so forth. The modified starch has been applied as a biopolymer in developing various preparations of food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical importance. The present work is focused on phosphorylation of alkali extracted mandua starch for improving digestion resistibility. The phosphorylation of mandua starch extracted from grains of Eleusine coracana (family Poaceae) was carried out by sodium tripolyphosphate/sodium trimetaphosphate at alkaline pH. After chemical treatment of mandua starch, the resistant starch (RS) content was increased significantly. The digestibility of chemically modified starch (CMS) was decreased down after treating by the phosphorylation process. The digestibility of CMS and alkali extracted mandua starch (AMS) in simulated intestinal fluid was found to be 32.64 ± 1.98% w/w and 61.12 ± 2.54% w/w, respectively. After chemical modification of mandua starch, a decrement was observed in amylose content, water-binding capacity, and swelling power. In the three-stage decomposition pattern of CMS studied by thermal gravimetric analysis, the significant changes in decomposition behavior also affirmed the impact of cross-linking in the improvement of stability of internal structure and resistibility of starch. In Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), the formation of the P=O bond was observed in CMS at 1250 cm^-1. The acute and sub-acute toxicity studies in terms of behavioral, haematological, and enzymological parameters for CMS were not different significantly from AMS and control (p > 0.05). The cellular architecture of the liver and the kidney were found normal after consumption of CMS. The results revealed that significant increment in RS fraction occurred after cross-linking of mandua starch. The prepared starch may be applied in developing various formulations of food and pharmaceutical importance.

Phytochemical analysis of Artemisia kopetdaghensis: Sesquiterpene lactones with proapoptotic activity against prostate cancer cells

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Artemisia kopetdaghensis resulted in the isolation and characterization of three undescribed eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactones, persianolide A, 4-epi-persianolide A, and 3α,4-epoxypersianolide A, together with three previously described eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactones, 11-epi-artapshin, 1β,8α-dihydroxy-11α,13-dihydrobalchanin, and 1β-hydroxy-11-epi-colartin. The abundantly obtained 11-epi-artapshin was oxidized to undescribed 11α,13-dihydroeudesma-12,6α-olide-1,8-dione and 8β-hydroxy-11α,13-dihydroeudesma-12,6α-olide-1-one and acetylated to the undescribed 1,8-O-diacetyl-11α,13-dihydroeudesma-12,6α-olide. Structures were elucidated based on extensive spectral data analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS. The absolute configuration was determined using calculated and experimental ECD spectral data. Compounds were subsequently subjected to the MTT assay to evaluate their cytotoxicity against prostate cancer cells (DU-145 and LNCaP). Related factors associated with the sequence of apoptosis were tested by ELISA, western blotting, and biochemical assay. Results suggested that 11-epi-artapshin hinders the growth of DU-145 cells through mitochondria-mediated apoptosis initiated by stimulation of ROS build-up, ΔΨm depletion, regulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and activation of caspase 3, respectively.

FTO gene expression in diet-induced obesity is downregulated by Solanum fruit supplementation

The Fat Mass and Obesity-associated (FTO) gene has been shown to play an important role in developing obesity, manifesting in traits such as increased body mass index, increased waist-to-hip ratio, and the distribution of adipose tissues, which increases the susceptibility to various metabolic syndromes. In this study, we evaluated the impact of fruit-based diets of Solanum melongena (SMF) and Solanum aethiopicum fruits (SAF) on the FTO gene expression levels in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese animals. Our results showed that the mRNA level of the FTO gene was downregulated in the hypothalamus, and white and brown adipose tissue following three and six weeks of treatment with SMF- and SAF-based diets in the HFD-induced obese animals. Additionally, the Solanum fruit supplementation exhibited a curative effect on obesity-associated abrasions on the white adipose tissue (WAT), hypothalamus, and liver. Our findings collectively suggest the anti-obesity potential of SMF and SAF via the downregulation of the FTO gene.

Natural Products for Cancer Therapy: A Review of Their Mechanism of Actions and Toxicity in the Past Decade

The ethnopharmacological information gathered over many centuries and the presence of diverse metabolites have made the medicinal plants as the prime source of drugs. Despite the positive attributes of natural products, there are many questions pertaining to their mechanism of actions and molecular targets that impede their development as therapeutic agents. One of the major challenges in cancer research is the toxicity exerted by investigational agents towards the host. An understanding of their molecular targets, underlying mechanisms can reveal their anticancer efficacy, help in optimal therapeutic dose selection, to mitigate their side effects and toxicity towards the host. The purpose of this review is to collate details on natural products that are recently been investigated extensively in the past decade for their anticancer potential. Besides, critical analysis of their molecular targets and underlying mechanisms on multiple cancer cell lines, an in-depth probe of their toxicological screening on rodent models is outlined as well to observe the prevalence of their toxicity towards host. This review can provide valuable insights for researchers in developing methods, strategies during preclinical and clinical evaluation of anticancer candidates.

Acute Oral Toxicity Assessment and Anti-hyperuricemic Activity of Alocasia longiloba Extracts on Sprague-Dawley Rats

Hyperuricemia is defined as a metabolic abnormality that occurs when serum uric acid (UA) level is abnormally high in the body. We previously reported that A. longiloba possesses various important phytochemicals and in vitro xanthine oxidase activity. Despite A. longiloba ethnomedicinal benefits, its toxicity and anti-hyperuricemic effects have not been reported. The present study was carried out to ensure the safety and investigate the anti-hyperuricemic effects of A. longiloba fruit and petiole ethanolic extracts on rats. In the acute toxicity study, extracts were orally administered at a dose of 2000 mg/kg bodyweight and closely monitored for 2-week for any toxicity effects. The rats were then sacrificed and samples were collected and analyzed for hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters. The anti-hyperuricemic effect of A. longiloba fruit or petiole extract was investigated through determination of UA levels on potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemic rats. Extracts or standard drug treatments were orally administrated 1-h after PO administration for 14-day. Animals were euthanized and samples were collected for further experiments. The toxicity results show, no significant changes were observed in behavioral, bodyweight changes in experimental groups compared to the control. Moreover, there were no significant changes in hematological, biochemical, and histological parameters between extracts treated and control group. In the anti-hyperuricemia study, the fruit and petiole extracts treatments significantly reduced the level of UA in serum compared to the hyperuricemic model group. This study demonstrated that the extracts of A. longiloba have anti-hyperuricemic activity and was found to be non-toxic to rats in acute toxicity test.

Therapeutic Potential of Selected Medicinal Plants Against Carrageenan Induced Inflammation in Rats

The current study was aimed to analyze the therapeutic effect of selected medicinal plants, that is, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Trigonella graceum-foenum, Nigella sativa, and Syzygium aromaticum against carrageenan-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rats. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of diverse range of bioactives. IC₅₀ values for antioxidant assays including DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), metal chelating, ABTS scavenging (2, 2^′-Azino-Bis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid), β-carotene bleaching, and H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide) scavenging ranged from 37-294, 71-243.4, 69.66-191.8, 98.92-228.5, and 82-234.9 μg/mL, respectively. All tested plants extract were found active against tested pathogenic microorganisms with lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations. Oral administration of tested plants extracts in different doses (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg b. w) did not exhibit any toxicological effects on hemato-biochemical profile of treated rats in comparison to control group rats. Further, plants extract exhibited considerable anti-inflammatory activity in rats paw inflammation and decreased cellular infiltration to inflammatory site in dose dependent manner. Pretreatment of animals with tested plants extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b. w.) caused significant alteration in total antioxidants, oxidants, and enzymes activities in paw tissue homogenate and the effect was more pronounced at higher concentration (400 mg/kg b. w.). Results showed that tested plants extract are rich source of diverse classes of phenolics and have therapeutic potential against oxidative stress and inflammation.

Single and repeated dose (28 days) intravenous toxicity assessment of bartogenic acid (an active pentacyclic triterpenoid) isolated from Barringtonia racemosa (L.) fruits in mice

Bartogenic acid (BA), an active pentacyclic triterpenoid, has been reported for anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-cancer, and anti-tumor activity. However, toxicity profiling of BA has not been reported till date. Hence, this study is designed to evaluate the single dose (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) and repeated dose (1.5, 6, and 24 mg/kg) intravenous toxicity of BA in BALB/c mice. Control group received vehicle. In single dose toxicity study, two mortalities were observed at 100 mg/kg of BA whereas lower doses were well tolerated. In repeated dose toxicity study, no mortality was observed. 1.5 mg/kg of BA was well tolerated in mice of both sexes. At 6 mg/kg of BA, female mice showed significant reduction in the body weight as compared to the control group however no significant change was observed in male mice. 24 mg/kg of BA showed significant reduction in the body weight in mice of both sexes. Further, these mice showed significant change in the relative organ weight. However, no toxicologically relevant changes were observed in hematology, biochemistry, and histopathology. Based on the findings, No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) for BA were found to be<24 mg/kg for male mice and<6 mg/kg for female mice.

Nutritional and 13-Week Subchronic Toxicological Evaluation of Lignosus rhinocerotis Mycelium in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Lignosus rhinocerotis (Tiger's Milk mushroom) is a novel mushroom with sclerotium belonging to the Polyporaceae family and has been reported widely to possess anti-cancer, anti-cough, antioxidant, gastro-protective, immuno-modulating, and neurite-stimulating properties. As numerous studies have proven the tremendous medicinal values of L. rhinocerotis, it is necessary to understand its nutrition as well as its safety for the recipient. Previous research on L. rhinocerotis has mainly focused on the naturally occurring sclerotium and may have overlooked mushroom mycelia from submerged liquid fermentation, which ensures a high uniform quantitative biomass production as well as a high biological value. Hence, this is the first report on the evaluation of nutrition and 13-week repeated oral toxicity of L. rhinocerotis mycelium (LRM). The LRM powder contained 9.0 ± 4.2% moisture, 1.9 ± 1.3% ash, 1.6 ± 2.2% crude lipid, 8.4 ± 5.3% crude protein, 79.3 ± 4.6% carbohydrate, and 364 kcal/100 g energy. The total free amino acid ranged from 349 to 5636 mg/100 g and the umami index of freeze-dried LRM powder was 0.37. For safety assessment, ninety-six rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of twelve male and twelve female rats. Test articles were administered by oral gavage to rats at 850, 1700, and 3400 mg/kg body weight/day for 13 weeks and reverse osmosis water was used as the control. All animals survived to the end of the study. During the experiment period, no abnormal changes were observed in clinical signs, body weight, or ophthalmological examinations. No adverse or test article-related differences were found in urinalysis, hematology, or serum biochemistry parameters between the treatment and control groups. Necropsy and histopathological examination indicated no treatment-related changes. According to the above results, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of L. rhinocerotis was identified to be greater than 3400 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Zingerone [4-(3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-butan-2] Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Protects Rats from Sepsis Associated Multi Organ Damage

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Zingerone (ZIN) against lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cytokine storm in rats. For survival study the rats were divided into four groups (n = 10). The control group was treated with normal saline; Group II received an intraperitoneal (i.p) injection (10 mg/kg) of LPS as disease control. Rats in Group III were treated with ZIN 150 mg/kg (p.o) 2 h before LPS challenge and rats in Group IV were given ZIN only. Survival of the rats was monitored up to 96 h post LPS treatment. In another set, the animals were divided into four groups of six rats. Animals in Group I served as normal control and were treated with normal saline. Animals in Group II were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and served as disease control. Group III animals were treated with ZIN 2 h before LPS challenge. Group IV served as positive control and were treated with ZIN (150 mg/kg orally). The blood samples were collected and used for the analysis of biochemical parameters like alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Cr, Urea, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, bilirubin (BIL), and total protein. Oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and (DNA damage marker) 8-OHdG levels were measured in different organs. Level of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory markers like TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 were also quantified in plasma. Procalcitonin (PCT), a sepsis biomarker, was also measured. ZIN treatment had shown significant (p < 0.5) restoration of plasma enzymes, antioxidant markers and attenuated plasma proinflammatory cytokines and sepsis biomarker (PCT), thereby preventing the multi-organ and tissue damage in LPS-induced rats also confirmed by histopathological studies of different organs. The protective effect of ZIN may be due to its potent antioxidant potential. Thus ZIN can prevent LPS-induced oxidative stress as well as inflammatory and multi-organ damage in rats when administered to the LPS treated animals.

The Role of Two-Step Blending in the Properties of Starch/Chitin/Polylactic Acid Biodegradable Composites for Biomedical Applications

The current research trend for excellent miscibility in polymer mixing is the use of plasticizers. The use of most plasticizers usually has some negative effects on the mechanical properties of the resulting composite and can sometimes make it toxic, which makes such polymers unsuitable for biomedical applications. This research focuses on the improvement of the miscibility of polymer composites using two-step mixing with a rheomixer and a mix extruder. Polylactic acid (PLA), chitin, and starch were produced after two-step mixing, using a compression molding method with decreasing composition variation (between 8% to 2%) of chitin and increasing starch content. A dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to study the mechanical behavior of the composite at various temperatures. The tensile strength, yield, elastic modulus, impact, morphology, and compatibility properties were also studied. The DMA results showed a glass transition temperature range of 50 °C to 100 °C for all samples, with a distinct peak value for the loss modulus and factor. The single distinct peak value meant the polymer blend was compatible. The storage and loss modulus increased with an increase in blending, while the loss factor decreased, indicating excellent compatibility and miscibility of the composite components. The mechanical properties of the samples improved compared to neat PLA. Small voids and immiscibility were noticed in the scanning electron microscopy images, and this was corroborated by X-ray diffraction graphs that showed an improvement in the crystalline nature of PLA with starch. Bioabsorption and toxicity tests showed compatibility with the rat system, which is similar to the human system.