Reproductive Toxicity of Theobroma cacao: Increase in Survival Index, Nongenotoxic, and Proimplantation Potential

Genotoxicity, nitric oxide level modulation and cardio-protective potential of Kalanchoe Integra Var. Crenata (Andr.) Cuf Leaves in murine models

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Advancement in cancer therapy has improved survival among patients. However, use of anticancer drugs like anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin) is not without adverse effects. Notable among adverse effects of doxorubicin (DOX) is cardiotoxicity, which ranges from mild transient blood pressure changes to potentially serious heart failure. Anecdotal reports suggest that Kalanchoe integra (KI) may have cardio-protective potential.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

This study sought to determine the cardio-protective potential of KI against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and also examined any possible genotoxic potential of KI in selected organs. Additionally, the nitric oxide modulatory potential of KI was assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The leaves of KI were collected, air-dried, pulverised and extracted using 70% ethanol. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting was done for KI. Also, the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay) was employed to ascertain the genotoxic potential of KI. In assessment of cardio-protective potential of KI against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, a total of 42 female Sprague-Dawley rats were put into 7 groups (n = 6). Group I: vehicle control, received normal saline (1 mL/kg p.o) for 30 days. Group II: toxic control, received DOX (20 mg/kg i.p.) once on the 29th day. Group III: KI control, received KI (300 mg/kg p.o) for 30 days. Group IV: vitamin E control, received vitamin E (100 mg/kg p.o) for 30 days. Group V: KI treated-1, received KI (300 mg/kg p.o) for 30 days and DOX (20 mg/kg i.p) on the 29th day. Group VI: KI treated-2, received KI (600 mg/kg p.o) for 30 days and DOX (20 mg/kg i.p) on the 29th day. Group VII: vitamin E treated, received vitamin E (100 mg/kg p.o) for 30 days and DOX (20 mg/kg i.p) on the 29th day. Thirty-six (36) hours after last administration, rats were sacrificed. Blood samples were taken via cardiac puncture to determine levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), enzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Nitric oxide level was also determined. Hearts of rats in each group were excised and taken through histopathological examination.

RESULTS

In the HPLC fingerprint analysis, 13 peaks were identified, and peak with retention time of 24.0 min had the highest peak area (3.223 x104 mAU). Comet assay showed that the KI extract was non-genotoxic. Pretreatment with KI protected rats against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity as evidenced by the low levels of AST, ALT, ALP, CK and LDH compared with the controls (p < 0.05). SOD, CAT and GPX levels were also high for rats administered KI extracts, further showing that KI protected rats against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. KI also inhibited nitric oxide levels at 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg effective doses. Histological examination revealed that rats pretreated with KI showed no signs of abnormal myocardial fibres (shape, size and configuration).

CONCLUSION

Ethanolic (70%) leaf extract of KI showed no genotoxic potential and possessed cardioprotective effects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats. KI also inhibited nitric oxide production, thus, a potential nitric oxide scavenger.

Autophagy as a Therapeutic Target of Natural Products Enhancing Embryo Implantation

Infertility is an emerging health issue worldwide, and female infertility is intimately associated with embryo implantation failure. Embryo implantation is an essential process during the initiation of prenatal development. Recent studies have strongly suggested that autophagy in the endometrium is the most important factor for successful embryo implantation. In addition, several studies have reported the effects of various natural products on infertility improvement via the regulation of embryo implantation, embryo quality, and endometrial receptivity. However, it is unclear whether natural products can improve embryo implantation ability by regulating endometrial autophagy. Therefore, we performed a literature review of studies on endometrial autophagy, embryo implantation, natural products, and female infertility. Based on the information from these studies, this review suggests a new treatment strategy for female infertility by proposing natural products that have been proven to be safe and effective as endometrial autophagy regulators; additionally, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the regulation of endometrial autophagy by natural products and female infertility, with an emphasis on embryo implantation.