Histological and ultrastructural changes of cardiomyocytes in experimental rats with tail thrombosis following subplantar application of carrageenin

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy of lavender oil in experimentally induced thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Lavender oil (LO) possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, sedative, cardio-protective, and antinociceptive properties. Thrombosis and inflammation are interplayed processes that interact and influence one another. Our research compared three routes of administration to assess the efficacy of pretreatment with LO on carrageenan-induced thrombosis in rat tail.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar-Bratislava white rats were randomly divided into five groups of ten rats each and pretreated 3 consecutive days prior the inducement of thrombosis to with one dose of LO (150 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)): per os by gavage (TLOPO group), intraperitoneal (TIPLO group) and subcutaneous (TSCLO group). We also have a control (C, received saline solution 0.9% and DMSO (vehicle) 1 ml intraperitoneal (i.p.)) group and a group with thrombosis (T group, received saline solution 0.9% plus vehicle 1 ml i.p.). Histopathological examinations were conducted together with measurements of the circulating levels of three oxidative stress markers, antioxidant effect (TAC and THIOL), and three proinflammatory cytokines (TNF- α, RANTES, and MCP-1).

RESULTS

When administered intraperitoneally, lavender oil has the best efficacy on circulating levels of oxidative stress parameters (MDA, NOx, TOS), one oxidative stress marker (THIOL), and all studied proinflammatory cytokines (p-values < 0.02). Moreover, TIPLO displayed the closest values for bleeding and clotting time to the C group, as well as the lowest length of the thrombus than the T, TPOLO, and TSCLO groups (p-values < 0.001). The TIPLO group has histological appearance comparable to the C group, with the exception of the presence of oedema.

CONCLUSIONS

Lavender oil pretreatment with intraperitoneal administration as three days, one-dose per day, showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy in experimentally induced thrombosis.

Antiplatelet mechanism of an herbal mixture prepared from the extracts of Phyllostachys pubescens leaves and Prunus mume fruits

Background

Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) leaves and Japanese apricot (Mume fructus) fruit are traditionally recognized to be safe herbs broadly used for food and medicinal purposes in Southeast Asia. Our group previously explored their antiplatelet effects. This study was designed to confirm inhibition effects of PM21 (a 2:1 mixture of bamboo leaf extract and Japanese apricot fruit extract) on platelet aggregation and evaluate its potency to use as an herbal remedy to prevent and/or treat the diseases caused by platelet aggregation and thrombus formation.

Methods

Washed platelets were prepared and platelet aggregation was induced by adding 5 μg/mL collagen. Anti-platelet effects of PM21 (75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg for ex vivo and in vivo assays, and 50, 100, 200 μg/mL for in vitro assays) were evaluated. In ex vivo assays, PM21 was orally administered to rats daily after overnight fasting for 3 days and blood was collected 1 h after the final treatment. In vivo antithrombotic effect of PM21 was observed from a carrageenan induced mouse tail thrombosis model.

Results

In ex vivo assay, PM21 inhibited platelet aggregation significantly. PM21 showed a strong antithrombotic effect by reducing significantly the length of mouse tail thrombus. PM21 increased intracellular cAMP level and reduced the release of ATP, TXA₂, and serotonin. PM21 also reduced intracellular concentration of calcium ion, fibrinogen binding to integrin α_IIbβ₃, and phosphorylation of ERK2, p38, PLCγ2, and PI3 K.

Conclusions

PM21 showed remarkable inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Its inhibitory function seems to influence on GPVI binding to its ligand and subsequent initiation of a signaling cascade that involves activation of effector proteins and secretion of effector molecules, such as ATP, TXA₂, serotonin, and Ca²⁺. PM21 also appears to exert its anti-platelet effect by deactivation of ERKs activation pathway as well as inhibition of fibrinogen binding to integrin α_IIbβ₃.

Thrombus Degradation by Fibrinolytic Enzyme of Stenotrophomonas sp. Originated from Indonesian Soybean-Based Fermented Food on Wistar Rats

Objective. To evaluate thrombus degrading effect of a fibrinolytic enzyme from food origin Stenotrophomonas sp. of Indonesia. Methods. Prior to animal study, the enzyme safety was tested using cell culture. The effect on expression of tissue plasminogen activator was also analysed in the cell culture. For in vivo studies, 25 Wistar rats were used: normal control, negative control, treatment groups with crude and semipurified enzyme given orally at 25 mg/kg, and positive control group which received Lumbrokinase at 25 mg/kg. Blood clot in the tail was induced by kappa carrageenan injection at 1 mg/kg BW. Results. Experiment with cell culture confirmed the enzyme safety at the concentration used and increased expression of tPA. Decreasing of thrombus was observed in the positive group down to 70.35 ± 23.11% of the negative control animals (100%). The thrombus observed in the crude enzyme treatment was down to 56.99 ± 15.95% and 71.5 ± 15.7% for semipurified enzyme. Scanning electron microscopy showed clearly that bood clots were found in the animals injected with kappa carrageenan; however, in the treatment and positive groups, the clot was much reduced. Conclusions. Oral treatment of enzyme from Stenotrophomonas sp. of Indonesian fermented food was capable of degrading thrombus induced in Wistar rats.

Expression of cholera toxin B subunit-lumbrokinase in edible sunflower seeds-the use of transmucosal carrier to enhance its fusion protein's effect on protection of rats and mice against thrombosis

Lumbrokinase (LK) is a group of serine proteases with strong fibrinolytic and thrombolytic activities and is useful for treating diseases caused by thrombus. Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) has been widely used to facilitate antigen delivery by serving as an effective mucosal carrier molecule for the induction of oral tolerance. We investigate here the application of CTB as a transmucosal carrier in enhancing its fusion protein-LKs effect to protect rats against thrombosis. Thus, in this study, CTB-LK fusion gene separated by a furin cleavage site was expressed in seeds of Helianthus annuus L. The activity of recombinant protein in seeds of transgenic sunflower was confirmed by Western blot analysis, fibrin plate assays and GM1 -ganglioside ELISA. The thrombosis model of rats and mice revealed that the oral administration of peeled seeds of sunflower expressing CTB-LK had a more significant anti-thrombotic effect on animals compared with that administration of peeled seeds of sunflower expressing LK. It is possible to conclude that CTB can successfully enhance its fusion protein to be absorbed in rats or mice thrombosis model. The use of CTB as a transmucosal carrier in the delivery of transgenic plant-derived oral therapeutic proteins was supported. In addition, for the purpose of that recombinant CTB-LK was designed for oral administration, thus the expression of CTB-LK in edible sunflower seeds eliminated the need for downstream processing of proteins.

The influence of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on hematological parameters during experimentally induced pleuritis in rats

Proper functioning of homeostatic mechanisms is characteristic for every healthy organism and enables adapting to environmental changes. These complicated systematic reactions can neutralize the harmful stress factors leading to various inflammatory reactions. The aim of this study was to determine dynamic changes in the inflammatory reaction after single 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) administration of 5 μg/kg body weight into rats with experimentally induced pleuritis. These changes were observed by monitoring the hematological blood parameters during inflammation. The obtained results proved that dioxins contribute to various changes in the character of the inflammatory response. TCDD administration before pleuritis initiation caused an increase of lymphocytes and significant decrease of the number of neutrophils during inflammation. The current study proved that administration of low TCDD dose (seven times lower than used in other studies) can cause thymus, spleen, or lymphatic gland atrophy. This finding indicates the toxic influence of small TCDD dose especially on the immune system.

The Effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria-fermented Soybean Milk Products on Carrageenan-induced Tail Thrombosis in Rats

Thrombosis is characterized by congenital and acquired procatarxis. Lactic acid bacteria-fermented soybean milk products (FS-LAB) inhibit hepatic lipid accumulation and prevent atherosclerotic plaque formation. However, the therapeutic efficacy of FS-LAB against thrombosis has yet to be investigated. In this study, FS-LAB were administered subcutaneously into the tails of rats, with the subsequent intravenous administration of κ-carrageenan 12 hr after the initial injection. In general, administration of κ-carrageenan induces thrombosis. The length of the infarcted tail regions was significantly shorter in the rats administered a single-fold or double-fold concentration of the FS-LAB solution compared with the region in control rats. Therefore, FS-LAB exhibited significant antithrombotic effects. Our study is the first to characterize the properties of FS-LAB and, by testing their efficacy on an in vivo rat model of thrombosis, demonstrate the potency of their antithrombotic effect.

Investigation for anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic activities of methanol extract of Capparis ovata buds and fruits

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Capparis ovata Desf. has wide natural distribution in Turkey and it is consumed in pickled form. Flower buds, root bark, and fruits of the plant are used traditionally due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, anti-rheumatismal, tonic, and diuretic effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects of methanol extracts prepared from flower buds (CBE) and fruits (CFE) of C. ovata.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anti-inflammatory effects of CBE and CFE were assessed using carrageenan-induced and prostaglandin E₂-induced mouse paw edema models. For the anti-thrombotic effect evaluation, carrageenan-induced tail thrombosis model was performed in mice. The extracts were administered intraperitonally (i.p.) at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory effect of Capparis extracts were tested in comparison to 10 mg/kg diclofenac and anti-thrombotic activity to 10 and 100 IU heparin.

RESULTS

CBE at the doses of 200, and 300 mg/kg and CFE at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg showed significant anti-inflammatory activity and CFE reached therapeutic concentration early than CBE in carrageenan inflammation model. In prostaglandin E₂ inflammation model, CBE and CFE exhibited significant inhibitory effects. The C. ovata extracts did not show remarkable anti-thrombotic effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that fruits of C. ovata have more potent anti-inflammatory effect than flower buds. It has been suggested that inhibition of cyclooxygenase pathway is one of the mechanisms of the activity. C. ovata may be potentially used as therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases.

Antithrombotic effects of ethanol extract of Crataegus orientalis in the carrageenan-induced mice tail thrombosis model

INTRODUCTION

Crataegus species (common name is Hawthorn) are medicinal plants, which have flavonoids, triterpene acids, proanthocyanidins, and organic acids as main constituents, used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. One of the main causes of multiple cardiovascular diseases is intravascular thrombosis and current agents, which are used for the treatment and prevention of thrombosis, have some side effects. Therefore, new antithrombotic and thrombolytic agents are still needed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Antithrombotic function of ethanol extract of Crataegus orientalis (COE) leaves was investigated in carrageenan-induced mice tail thrombosis model. Mice were injected with 40 μl (1%) carrageenan (Type I) dissolved in physiological saline by intraplantar administration in the right hind paw. After carrageenan injection, the extract was administered at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg. Heparin was used as a positive control (10 and 100 IU). The length of tail-thrombosis was measured at 24th, 48th, and 72nd hours.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

100mg/kg COE and 10IU heparin were not significant when compared to control groups at the time interval (24-72 h) that results was obtained. At 24th hour, both 200 and 300 mg/kg of COE showed a significant antithrombotic activity (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). However, 200 mg/kg COE lost its significance and there was a decrease in the significance values of 300 mg/kg COE (p<0.05) at 48 and 72 h. From these results, it was concluded that COE significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced mice tail thrombosis in vivo.

Thrombolytic effect of subtilisin QK on carrageenan induced thrombosis model in mice

Subtilisin QK, a new fibrinolytic enzyme, could cleave directly cross-linked fibrin in vitro. To verify the thrombolytic function of Subtilisin QK in vivo, the thrombolytic effect of purified Subtilisin QK on tail-thrombus of mouse was investigated. After injected with carrageenan, the tail-thrombus of Subtilisin QK treated group were shorter than the physiological saline treated group. Moreover, the tail-thrombus decreased correlate with Subtilisin QK in a dose-dependent manner. Thrombus nearly disappeared while the mice were treated with 12000 IU Subtilisin QK. The result indicated that Subtilisin QK significantly inhibited thrombus formation in mouse tail. This study made more foundation for further development of Subtilisin QK as a novel bifunctional thrombolytic agent.