Caffeic acid rich Citrus macroptera peel powder supplementation prevented oxidative stress, fibrosis and hepatic damage in CCl4 treated rats

Hepatoprotective effects of fruits pulp, seed, and peel against chemical-induced toxicity: Insights from in vivo studies

The liver is a vital organ in human physiology positioned in the upper right quadrant of the peritoneal cavity, which plats a critical role in metabolic processes, detoxification of various substances and overall homeostasis. Along with these critical functions, hepatic diseases impose as significant global health threat. Liver illness is the cause of two million fatalities every year, or 4% of all deaths. Traditionally, healthcare providers have prescribed antibacterial and antiviral medications to address liver illness. Nephrotoxicity is a frequently observed negative reaction to drugs, with the majority of such events happening in individuals who have advanced cirrhosis. Thus, recognizing this gap, there is a dire need of exploration of pharmaceutical alterative for hepatic diseases, with special focus on their efficacy and reduced toxicity. Fruits have long been known to therapeutic impact on human health, thus exploration of fruits components namely pulp, seeds and peels containing phytochemicals have emerged as a promising avenue for hepatoprotective interventions. Thus, review comprehends the information about worldwide burden of chemical induced toxicity and injuries as well as highlight the on-going challenges in hepatic disease management. It also shed light on the valuable contributions fruit parts and their phytocompounds obtained from different components of fruits. Fruit pulp, especially when rich in flavonoids, has demonstrated significant potential in animal model studies. It has been observed to enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory markers. The methanolic and ethanolic extracts have demonstrated the most favorable outcomes. Further, this review also discusses about the safety assessments of fruits extracts for their utilization as hepatoprotective agents.

Mechanistic insights on the possible protective role of polyphenols extracted from Tamarix aphylla aerial parts against sodium arsenite-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Arsenic exposure is associated with the induction of hepatotoxicity. Current study was aimed to investigate the hepato-protective ability of polyphenolic components of Tamarix aphylla (TA) ethanolic extract against sodium arsenite (SA)-induced liver injury of rats. Significantly higher quantities of phenolic (318.7±2.5 mgg-1GAE) and flavonoid (250.69 ±3.3 mgg-1QE) contents were present. Inhibitory concentration (IC50) exhibited an excellent potential for antioxidant (IC50= 25.99 μg/mL) assay. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed the existence of myercetin (10.40ppm), sinapic acid (2.131ppm), kaempferol (0.486ppm), caffeic acid (5.094 ppm). Forty-two rats were divided into 7 groups. Group 1 received normal saline (2 mL/kg/day, orally for 21 days), Group 2 received SA (10mg/kg/day for 21 days), and Group 3 received SA alone for 7 days (10mg/kg) and continues with silymarine for 21 days (25mg/kg orally). Group 4, 5, 6 received SA alone for 7 days and continue with TA extract up to 21 days (125mg/kg, 250mg/kg, and 500mg/kg orally) respectively, and Group 7 received TA extract (500mg/kg) for 21 days. SA was administered to all treated groups for 21 days. Treatment with polyphenolic ethanolic extract of TA restored the hepatic indices and oxidative markers in a dose-dependent manner. The upregulation in tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 upon SA treatment suggesting inflammation was normalized by the treatment of rats. Above mentioned biochemical findings were supported well with histopathological screening. Present findings suggest that TA polyphenolic ethanolic extract could mitigate the oxidative stress and inflammation induced by SA in liver tissue.

The protective effects of the Lactarius deliciosus and Agrocybe cylindracea mushrooms on histopathology of carbon tetrachloride induced oxidative stress in rats

We investigated the protective effects of L. deliciosus and A. cylindracea supplementation against carbon tetrachloride (CCI₄) induced oxidative stress by measuring levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), and by observing histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues of rats. We divided 36 rats into six groups: control, CCl₄, L. deliciosus, A. cylindracea, CCl₄ + L. deliciosus, and CCl₄ + A. cylindracea. We found that administration of CCI₄, A. cylindracea, and CCl₄ + A. cylindracea increased MPO and ADA levels. We observed severe hepato-renal degenerative and necrotic lesions in the CCI₄, A. cylindracea and CCl₄ + A. cylindracea groups. Severe lesions of the liver and kidney were not observed with A. cylindracea administration. CCI₄ induced hepato-renal lesions were ameliorated by L. deliciosus extract supplementation. L. deliciosus could be an important dietary antioxidant for preventing histologic lesions in liver and kidney due to CCI₄ induced oxidative stress in rats.

Transcriptomics and proteomics analysis of system-level mechanisms in the liver of apigenin-treated fibrotic rats

AIMS

Liver fibrosis is a crucial pathological feature which could result in cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. But until now, there is no favourable treatment for it. Apigenin (APG) is a flavonoid, which exhibits efficient anti-liver fibrosis activity, but its underlying mechanisms were rarely studied. So this work aims to estimate the potential therapeutic action of APG on liver fibrosis rats and to gain insight into its system-level mechanisms.

MAIN METHODS

Hepatic fibrosis was induced by CCl₄ in Wistar rats, and APG was given in the light of the regimen. Biochemical indexes, histopathological change and immunohistochemistry of liver were evaluated. The optimal effect group of APG was selected for further transcriptomic and proteomic analysis.

KEY FINDINGS

APG ameliorated liver fibrosis via reducing the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, Hyp, TP, TB, DB, HA, LN, PCIII and IV-C, mitigating fibrosis and inflammation of liver in H&E and Masson staining. Mechanistically, APG elevated the activity of ALB, SOD and GSH-PX with reducing the level of MDA. The results of microarray and TMT revealed that 4919 genes and 4876 proteins were differentially expressed in the APG and model groups. Besides, transcriptomics and proteomics analyses unfolded 120 overlapped proteins, enriched in 111 GO terms containing apoptotic process, angiogenesis, cell migration and proliferation, etc. Meanwhile, KEGG pathway analysis showed that 26 pathways containing HIF-1/MAPK/eNOS/VEGF/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, regulation of actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion mostly.

SIGNIFICANCE

APG can ameliorate CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis via VEGF-mediated FAK phosphorylation through the MAPKs, PI3K/Akt, HIF-1, ROS, and eNOS pathways, which may hopefully become the anti-liver fibrosis activity of natural product.

Preventive Role of Resveratrol Against Inflammatory Cytokines and Related Diseases

BACKGROUND

Immunity is the ultimate barrier between foreign stimuli and a host cell. Unwanted immune responses can threaten the host cells and may eventually damage a vital organ. Overproduction of inflammatory cytokines may also lead to autoimmune diseases. Inflammatory cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines can eventually progress to renal, cardiac, brain, hepatic, pancreatic and ocular inflammation that can result in severe damage in the long run. Evidence also suggests that inflammation may lead to atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's, hypertension, stroke, cysts and cancers.

METHODS

This study was designed to correlate the possible molecular mechanisms for inflammatory diseases and prevent biochemical changes owing to inflammatory cytokines by using Resveratrol. Therefore, we searched and accumulated very recent literature on inflammatory disorders and Resveratrol. We scoured PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, PLoS One and Google Scholar to gather papers and related information.

RESULTS

Reports show that inflammatory diseases are very complex, as multiple cascade systems are involved; therefore, they are quite difficult to cure. However, our literature search also correlates some possible molecular interactions by which inflammation can be prevented. We noticed that Resveratrol is a potent lead component and has multiple activities against harmful inflammatory cytokines and related microRNA. Our study also suggests that the anti-inflammatory properties of Resveratrol have been highly studied on animal models, cell lines and human subjects and proven to be very effective in reducing inflammatory cell production and pro-inflammatory cytokine accumulation. Our tables and figures also demonstrate recent findings and possible preventive activities to minimize inflammatory diseases.

CONCLUSION

This study would outline the role of harmful inflammatory cytokines as well as how they accelerate pathophysiology and progress to an inflammatory disorder. Therefore, this study might show a potential therapeutic value of using Resveratrol by health professionals in preventing inflammatory disorders.

Anti-inflammatory Property of AMP-activated Protein Kinase

BACKGROUND

One of the many debated topics in inflammation research is whether this scenario is really an accelerated form of human wound healing and immunityboosting or a push towards autoimmune diseases. The answer requires a better understanding of the normal inflammatory process, including the molecular pathology underlying the possible outcomes. Exciting recent investigations regarding severe human inflammatory disorders and autoimmune conditions have implicated molecular changes that are also linked to normal immunity, such as triggering factors, switching on and off, the influence of other diseases and faulty stem cell homeostasis, in disease progression and development.

METHODS

We gathered around and collected recent online researches on immunity, inflammation, inflammatory disorders and AMPK. We basically searched PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar to assemble the studies which were published since 2010.

RESULTS

Our findings suggested that inflammation and related disorders are on the verge and interfere in the treatment of other diseases. AMPK serves as a key component that prevents various kinds of inflammatory signaling. In addition, our table and hypothetical figures may open a new door in inflammation research, which could be a greater therapeutic target for controlling diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance and preventing autoimmune diseases.

CONCLUSION

The relationship between immunity and inflammation becomes easily apparent. Yet, the essence of inflammation turns out to be so startling that the theory may not be instantly established and many possible arguments are raised for its clearance. However, this study might be able to reveal some possible approaches where AMPK can reduce or prevent inflammatory disorders.