Protective effect of aqueous extract of Lophira lanceolata leaf against cisplatin-induced hepatorenal injuries and dyslipidemia in Wistar rats

Examining the quaternary ammonium chitosan Schiff base-ZnO nanocomposite's potential as protective therapy for rats' cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Despite cisplatin's long history as a cornerstone in cancer therapy, both acquired chemoresistance and significant impacts on healthy tissues limit its use. Hepatotoxicity is one of its side effects. Adjunct therapies have shown promise in not only attenuating liver damage caused by cisplatin but also in enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy. In this context, a new quaternary ammonium chitosan Schiff base (QACSB) was synthesized and applied as an encapsulating agent for the in-situ synthesis of QACSB-ZnO nanocomposite.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty male albino rats were classified into Group 1 (control) distilled water, Group 2 (Cisplatin-treated) (12 mg/kg, i.p), and Group 3 (QACSB-ZnO NCs/cisplatin-treated) (150 mg/kg/day QACSB-ZnO NCs, i.p) for 14 days + a single dose of cisplatin. Liver functions, tissue TNF-α, MDA, and GSH were measured as well as histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were performed.

RESULTS

The QACSB-ZnO NCs significantly restore liver functions, tissue TNF-α, MDA, and GSH levels (p < 0.001). Histopathological examination showed patchy necrosis in the cisplatin-treated group versus other groups. The QACSB-ZnO NCs showed a weak TGF-β1 (score = 4) and a moderate Bcl-2 immunohistochemistry expression (score = 6) versus the CP group.

CONCLUSIONS

QACSB-ZnO NCs have been shown to protect the liver from cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity.

Ali L, M. Abd-Allah F, E. A. Ereba R, S. Humeda H, A. Damanhory A, E. Moustafa A, M. Younes A, M. Y. Awad M, A. A. Omar N. Co-administration of either curcumin or resveratrol with cisplatin treatment decreases hepatotoxicity in rats via anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress-apoptotic pathways

Background

Cisplatin (CIS) is a broad-spectrum anticancer drug, with cytotoxic effects on either malignant or normal cells. We aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxicity in rats caused by CIS and its amelioration by the co-administration of either curcumin or resveratrol.

Materials and Methods

Forty adult male rats divided into four equal groups: (control group): rats were given a saline solution (0.9%) once intraperitoneally, daily for the next 28 days; (cisplatin group): rats were given a daily oral dose of saline solution (0.9%) for 28 days after receiving a single dose of cisplatin (3.3 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for three successive days; (CIS plus curcumin/resveratrol groups): rats received the same previous dose of cisplatin (3.3 mg/kg) daily for three successive days followed by oral administration of either curcumin/resveratrol solution at a dose of (20 mg/kg) or (10 mg/kg) consequently daily for 28 days. Different laboratory tests (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, oxidative stress markers) and light microscopic investigations were done.

Results

Administration of CIS resulted in hepatotoxicity in the form of increased liver enzymes, oxidative stress markers; degenerative and apoptotic changes, the co-administration of CIS with either curcumin or resveratrol improved hepatotoxicity through improved microscopic structural changes, reduction in liver enzymes activity, decreased oxidative stress markers, improved degenerative, and apoptotic changes in liver tissues.

Conclusion

Co-administration of either curcumin or resveratrol with cisplatin treatment could ameliorate hepatotoxicity caused by cisplatin in rats via anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress-apoptotic pathways.

Effect of the Association of Fixed Oils from Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, Euterpe oleracea Martius, Bixa orellana Linné and Chronic SM® on Atherogenic Dyslipidemia in Wistar Rats

Dyslipidemia presents high levels of serum cholesterol and is characterized as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially for the development of atherosclerosis. E. oleracea oil (OFEO), A. esculentus oil (OFAE), B. orellana oil (OFBO), and Chronic SM® granules (CHR) are rich in bioactive compounds with the potential to treat changes in lipid metabolism. This study investigated the effects of treatments with oils from A. esculentus, E. oleracea, B. orellana, and Chronic SM® on Cocos nucifera L. saturated-fat-induced dyslipidemia. The chromatographic profile showed the majority presence of unsaturated fatty acids in the tested oils. The quantification of tocotrienols and geranylgeraniol in OFBO and CHR was obtained. Treatments with OFEO, OFAE, OFBO, and CHR were able to significantly reduce glycemia, as well as hypertriglyceridemia, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol, besides increasing HDL-cholesterol. The treatments inhibited the formation of atheromatous plaques in the vascular endothelium of the treated rats. The obtained results suggest that the OFEO, OFAE, OFBO, and CHR exhibit antidyslipidemic effects and antiatherogenic activity.

Nelsonia canescens (Acanthaceae) aqueous extract and partitioned fractions ameliorates type-2 diabetes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin. There is a continuous rise of this disease particularly in developing countries due to changes in life style and poverty among the people. In this study, antidiabetic activities of aqueous extract of Nelsonia canescens and its partitioned fractions in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. Male albino rats were divided into 9 groups (diabetic and non-diabetic) of 5 rats each. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal administration of alloxan (90 mg/kgbwt). The experimental design consists of a diabetic control group (untreated), a normal control group (1 mL saline), a standard diabetic drug (Glibenclamide; 5 mg/kgbwt), two doses (50 and 300 mg/kgbwt) of aqueous extract, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of Nelsonia canescens were orally administered for a period 21 days. Blood glucose of the rats was monitored at 3-days intervals while biochemical and in vivo antioxidant assays of serum and liver were determined after 21 days.

Results

The hypoglycemic effect of the extract observed was in a dose dependent manner with a significant reduction (p < 0.05) of blood glucose in ethylaceate fraction > aqueous extract > methanol fraction compared with the diabetic control group. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in lipid profiles and serum enzyme activity of rats in the diabetic control group was observed compared with the extract and fraction treated groups.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the aqueous extract and fractions of N. canescens showed hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potentials and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the progression of oxidative stress.

Resveratrol mitigates diclofenac-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats via modulation of miR-144/Nrf2/GSH axis

Despite the extensive therapeutic uses of diclofenac, it may cause several adverse effects, including hepatorenal injury. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound, make the agent effective in ameliorating a variety of drug-induced injuries. This study investigated the potential beneficial effects of resveratrol on diclofenac-induced hepatorenal toxicity and explored the role of miR-144 and its relationship to oxidative stress and inflammation triggered by diclofenac. Rats were divided into four groups: control; diclofenac group received diclofenac (10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal [ip]) for 7 days; prevention group received resveratrol concomitantly with diclofenac for 7 days; and the treatment group received diclofenac for 7 days followed by resveratrol (20 mg/kg/day, per oral) for another 7 days. Diclofenac administration induced a significant increase in serum hepatorenal biomarkers and histopathological aberrations. In addition, diclofenac upregulated miR-144 while reducing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein levels and glutathione (GSH) content. Moreover, diclofenac induced tissue inflammation and apoptosis as evidenced by increased protein expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and caspase-3. Intriguingly, resveratrol prevention or treatment significantly mitigated the toxic effects of diclofenac as manifested by normalization of the hepatorenal functions and amelioration of the histopathological changes. Resveratrol also triggered miR-144 downregulation with Nrf2 upregulation. Consequently, resveratrol showed hepatorenal antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities as manifested by improvement in the antioxidant markers along with a decline in NF-κB, TNF-α, and caspase-3 expressions. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a potential therapeutic role of resveratrol in mitigating diclofenac-induced hepatorenal insult, possibly via modulating miR-144/Nrf2/GSH axis.