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Alkharfy KM, Ahmad A, Siddiquei MM, Ghulam M, El-Asrar AA. Thymoquinone Attenuates Retinal Expression of Mediators and Markers of Neurodegeneration in a Diabetic Animal Model. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2023; 16:188-196. [PMID: 35049444 DOI: 10.2174/1874467215666220113105300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a slow eye disease that affects the retina due to a long-standing uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress can lead to neuronal damage leading to DR. OBJECTIVE The aim of the current investigation is to assess the protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ) as a potential compound for the treatment and/or prevention of neurovascular complications of diabetes, including DR. METHODS Diabetes was induced in rats by the administration of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg intraperitoneally, i.p.). Subsequently, diabetic rats were treated with either TQ (2 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle on alternate days for three weeks. A healthy control group was also run in parallel. At the end of the treatment period, animals were euthanized, and the retinas were collected and analyzed for the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), and caspase-3 using Western blotting techniques in the retina of diabetic rats and compared with the normal control rats. In addition, dichlorofluorescein (DCF) levels in the retina were assessed as a marker of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and blood-retinal barrier breakdown (BRB) was examined for vascular permeability. The systemic effects of TQ treatments on glycemic control, kidney and liver functions were also assessed in all groups. RESULTS Diabetic animals treated with TQ showed improvements in the liver and kidney functions compared with control diabetic rats. Normalization in the levels of neuroprotective factors, including BDNF, TH, and NGFR, was observed in the retina of diabetic rats treated with TQ. In addition, TQ ameliorated the levels of apoptosis regulatory protein caspase-3 in the retina of diabetic rats and reduced disruption of the blood-retinal barrier, possibly through a reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that TQ harbors a significant potential to limit the neurodegeneration and retinal damage that can be provoked by hyperglycemia in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid M Alkharfy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ajaz Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Mairaj Siddiquei
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Abdul Aziz Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Ghulam
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Abdul Aziz Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Abu El-Asrar
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Abdul Aziz Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Alam M, Hasan GM, Ansari MM, Sharma R, Yadav DK, Hassan MI. Therapeutic implications and clinical manifestations of thymoquinone. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2022; 200:113213. [PMID: 35472482 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ), a natural phytochemical predominantly found in Nigella sativa, has been investigated for its numerous health benefits. TQ showed anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, validated in various disease models. The anti-cancer potential of TQ is goverened by anti-proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, ROS production, anti-metastasis and anti-angiogenesis, inhibition of cell migration and invasion action. Additionally, TQ exhibited antitumor activity via the modulation of multiple pathways and molecular targets, including Akt, ERK1/2, STAT3, and NF-κB. The present review highlighted the anticancer potential of TQ . We summarize the anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of TQ, focusing on its molecular targets and its promising action in cancer therapy. We further described the molecular mechanisms by which TQ prevents signaling pathways that mediate cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manzar Alam
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Gulam Mustafa Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 173, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Meraj Ansari
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Rishi Sharma
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249203, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon City, 21924, South Korea.
| | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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Ammar NM, Hassan H, Ahmed R, El Gendy AEN, Abd-ElGawad A, Farrag AR, Farag AR, Elshamy A, Afifi S. Gastro-protective effect of Artemisia sieberi essential oil against ethanol-induced ulcer in rats as revealed via biochemical, histopathological and metabolomics analysis. Biomarkers 2022; 27:247-257. [PMID: 34978233 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2021.2025428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Gastric ulcer is regarded as one of the main clinical ailments with high morbidity and mortality rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Gastro-protective effect of Artemisia sieberi essential oil (AS-EO) in ethanol-induced rats was evaluated via biochemical, histopathological and large-scale metabolomics analyses. Glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), prostaglandin (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) alongside with histopathological examination of gastric mucosa were analyzed. Metabolites profiling coupled to Global Natural Products Social molecular networking platform (GNPS) and multivariate data analyses to reveal for changes in rats metabolome with treatments and involved action mechanisms. RESULTS Pretreatment with 100 and 200 mg/kg of AS-EO in EtOH-treated rats restored all parameters towards normal status compared to disease model. AS-EO alleviated the histological and pathological damage of gastric tissue caused by ethanol. Metabolites profiling revealed an increase in uracil, cholesterol and fatty acids/fatty acyl amides levels in ulcer rats and restored to normal levels post AS-EO intervention. These results indicated the efficacy of AS-EO in a dose-dependent manner, and to exert protective effects in ulcer rat model by targeting several metabolic pathways viz. lipid, energy, and nucleotide metabolisms. CONCLUSION AS-EO adds to the known uses of genus Artemisia as anti-ulcerogenic agent by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses associated with an ulcer. Several novel biomarkers for ulcer progression in rats were identified and have yet to be confirmed in human models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naglaa M Ammar
- Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Heba Hassan
- Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Rania Ahmed
- Chemistry of Natural Compounds Department, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Abd El-Nasser El Gendy
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Abd-ElGawad
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Abdel Razik Farrag
- Department of Pathology, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St. Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Abdel Razik Farag
- Pharmacognosy Department, College of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El Aini St., Cairo P.B. 11562, Egypt.,Chemistry Department, School of Sciences & Engineering, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Abdelsamed Elshamy
- Chemistry of Natural Compounds Department, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Sherif Afifi
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Sadat City 32897, Egypt
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Li S, Cheng CS, Zhang C, Tang GY, Tan HY, Chen HY, Wang N, Lai AYK, Feng Y. Edible and Herbal Plants for the Prevention and Management of COVID-19. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:656103. [PMID: 33995078 PMCID: PMC8113769 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.656103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The outbreak of the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has now become a global pandemic spreading throughout the world. Unfortunately, due to the high infectiousness of the novel β-coronavirus, it is very likely to become an ordinary epidemic. The development of dietary supplements and functional foods might provide a strategy for the prevention and management of COVID-19. Scope and Approach: A great diversity of potential edible and medicinal plants and/or natural compounds showed potential benefits in managing SARS, which may also combat COVID-19. Moreover, many plants and compounds have currently been proposed to be protective against COVID-19. This information is based on data-driven approaches and computational chemical biology techniques. In this study, we review promising candidates of edible and medicinal plants for the prevention and management of COVID-19. We primarily focus on analyzing their underlying mechanisms. We aim to identify dietary supplements and functional foods that assist in managing this epidemic. Key findings and Conclusion: We infer that acetoside, glyasperin, isorhamnetin, and several flavonoid compounds may prevent and/or be effective in managing COVID-19 by targeting the viral infection, reducing the host cytokine storm, regulating the immune response, and providing organ protection. These bioactive dietary components (used either alone or in combination) might assist in the development of dietary supplements or functional foods for managing COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chien-Shan Cheng
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guo-Yi Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hor-Yue Tan
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hai-Yong Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Abdallah HM, Ammar NM, Abdelhameed MF, Gendy AENGE, Ragab TIM, Abd-ElGawad AM, Farag MA, Alwahibi MS, Elshamy AI. Protective Mechanism of Acacia saligna Butanol Extract and Its Nano-Formulations against Ulcerative Colitis in Rats as Revealed via Biochemical and Metabolomic Assays. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E195. [PMID: 32751448 PMCID: PMC7463518 DOI: 10.3390/biology9080195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a relapsing inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. The increased risk of cancer in UC patients warrants for the development of novel drug treatments. Herein, this work concerns with the investigation of the protective effects of Acacia saligna butanol extract (ASBE) and its nanoformulations on UC in a rat model and its underlying mechanism. Colitis was induced by slow intrarectal infusion of 2 mL of 4% (v/v in 0.9% saline) acetic acid. Colon samples were evaluated macroscopically, microscopically, and assayed for pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. To monitor associated metabolic changes in acetic acid-induced UC model, serum samples were analyzed for primary metabolites using GC-MS followed by multivariate data analyses. Treatment with ASBE attenuated acetic acid-induced UC as revealed by reduction of colon weight, ulcer area, and ulcer index. ASBE treatment also reduced Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) & Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in the inflamed colon. The nano-formulation of ASBE showed better protection than the crude extract against ulcer indices, increased PGE2 production, and histopathological alterations such as intestinal mucosal lesions and inflammatory infiltration. Distinct metabolite changes were recorded in colitis rats including a decrease in oleamide and arachidonic acid along with increased levels of lactic acid, fructose, and pyroglutamic acid. Treatment with nano extract restored metabolite levels to normal and suggests that cytokine levels were regulated by nano extract in UC. Conclusion: ASBE nano extract mitigated against acetic acid-induced colitis in rats, and the underlying mechanism could be attributed to the modulatory effects of ASBE on the inflammatory cascades. The applicability of metabolomics developed in this rat model seems to be crucial for evaluating the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of new therapeutics for acute colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba M.I. Abdallah
- Pharmacology Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Naglaa M. Ammar
- Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Mohamed F. Abdelhameed
- Pharmacology Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Abd El-Nasser G. El Gendy
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Tamer I. M. Ragab
- Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Ahmed M. Abd-ElGawad
- Plant Production Department, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. Farag
- Pharmacognosy Department, College of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr el Aini St., P.B., Cairo 11562, Egypt;
- Chemistry Department, School of Sciences & Engineering, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Mona S. Alwahibi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abdelsamed I. Elshamy
- Department of Natural Compounds Chemistry, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
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