Chaya (Jatropha tanjorensis) leafs protect against sodium benzoate mediated renal dysfunction and hepatic damage in rats

Hepato-renal protective impact of nanocapsulated Petroselinum crispum and Anethum graveolens essential oils added in fermented milk against some food additives via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects: In silico and in vivo studies

The study assessed the efficacy of parsley and dill essential oils (EOs) nanocapsules incorporated into fermented milk in hepato-renal protection against specific food additives. A molecular docking assay was conducted between parsley and dill EOs bioactive molecules and inflammatory cytokines. Freeze-dried parsley and dill EOs nanocapsules were developed, characterized for their morphological structure, particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency and assessed in fast green dye and sodium benzoate (SB) combination-treated rats. The docking results revealed that the primary constituents of parsley and dill EOs (apiol, myristicin, α-pinene, (-)-carvone, and d-limonene) interacted with the active sites of TNF-α, IL-1β and TGF-1β cytokines with hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions. D-limonene had the highest binding affinity (6.4 kcal/mol) for the TNF-α. Apiol and myristicin had the highest binding affinity (5.1, 5.0, 5.0 and 5.0 kcal/mol, respectively) for the IL-1β and TGF-β1 receptors. Biochemically and histopathologically, the excessive co-administration of fast green and SB revealed adverse effects on the liver and the kidney. Whereas the treatment with parsley and dill EOs nanocapsules afford hepato-renal protective effects as manifested by suppression the elevated liver and kidney functions. Parsley and dill EOs nanocapsules showed a significant reduction of the liver (64.08 and 80.5 pg/g, respectively) and kidney (59.3 and 83.6 pg/g, respectively) ROS. Moreover, parsley and dill EOs nanocapsules down-regulated the liver and the kidney inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β and TGF-1β) and lipid peroxidation and up-regulated the antioxidant enzymes. In conclusion, the data suggest a potential hepato-renal protective effects of parsley and dill EOs nanocapsules.

Nephroprotective Effect of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Leaf Flavonoid Extracts via KIM-1 and TGF-1β Signaling Pathways in Streptozotocin-Induced Rats

Diabetes-induced kidney damage represents a substantial health hazard, emphasizing the imperative to explore potential therapeutic interventions. This study investigates the nephroprotective activity of flavonoid-rich extracts from Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The flavonoid-rich extracts of H. sabdariffa leaves was obtained using a standard procedure. The animals were induced with streptozotocin and thereafter treated with both low (LDHSFL) and high doses (HDHSFL) of flavonoid-rich extracts from H. sabdariffa leaves and metformin (MET), and other groups are diabetic control (DC) and normal control (NC). The study assesses diverse renal parameters, encompassing kidney redox stress biomarkers, serum electrolyte levels, kidney inflammatory biomarkers, serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, and uric acid, kidney phosphatase activities, renal histopathology, and relative gene expressions of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-1β), comparing these measurements with normal and diabetic control groups (NC and DC). The findings indicate that the use of extracts from H. sabdariffa leaves markedly (p < 0.05) enhanced renal well-being by mitigating nephropathy, as demonstrated through the adjustment of various biochemical and gene expression biomarkers, indicating a pronounced antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effect, improved kidney morphology, and mitigation of renal dysfunction. These findings suggest that H. sabdariffa leaf flavonoid extracts exhibit nephroprotective properties, presenting a potential natural therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Sodium benzoate exacerbates hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in rats

BACKGROUND

Liver damage is a global health concern associated with a high mortality rate. Sodium benzoate (SB) is a widely used preservative in the food industry with a wide range of applications. However, there's a lack of scientific reports on its effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the influence of SB on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight rats were randomly allocated into four groups: control (received distilled water), SB (received 600 mg/kg), LPS (received 0.25 mg/kg), and LPS + SB (received LPS, 0.25 mg/kg, and SB, 600 mg/kg). SB was administered orally for 14 days while LPS was administered intraperitoneally for 7 days.

RESULTS

Administration of SB to rats with hepatocyte injury exacerbated liver damage with a significant increase in the activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). We also observed that SB aggravated LPS-mediated hepatic oxidative stress occasioned by a marked decrease in antioxidant status with a concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, LPS - mediated increase in inflammatory biomarkers as well as histological deterioration in the liver was exacerbated following the administration of SB to rats.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the study provides experimental evidence that SB exacerbates hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation in LPS-mediated liver injury.

Phytocompounds from Amazonian Plant Species against Acute Kidney Injury: Potential Nephroprotective Effects

There are several Amazonian plant species with potential pharmacological validation for the treatment of acute kidney injury, a condition in which the kidneys are unable to adequately filter the blood, resulting in the accumulation of toxins and waste in the body. Scientific production on plant compounds capable of preventing or attenuating acute kidney injury-caused by several factors, including ischemia, toxins, and inflammation-has shown promising results in animal models of acute kidney injury and some preliminary studies in humans. Despite the popular use of Amazonian plant species for kidney disorders, further pharmacological studies are needed to identify active compounds and subsequently conduct more complex preclinical trials. This article is a brief review of phytocompounds with potential nephroprotective effects against acute kidney injury (AKI). The classes of Amazonian plant compounds with significant biological activity most evident in the consulted literature were alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, and terpenoids. An expressive phytochemical and pharmacological relevance of the studied species was identified, although with insufficiently explored potential, mainly in the face of AKI, a clinical condition with high morbidity and mortality.

Zinc supplement reverses short-term memory deficit in sodium benzoate-induced neurotoxicity in male Wistar rats by enhancing anti-oxidative capacity via Nrf 2 up-regulation

Sodium benzoate (SB) is a commonly-used food preservative, with a controversial report to its neurological benefit and toxicity. Zinc (Zn) is a trace element that plays a crucial role in memory, inflammation and oxidative stress. This study was to investigate the effect of SB on rat cognition and memory and the possible modulatory effect of Zn supplement. Twenty four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six animals each. Animals in groups 1-4 were treated with normal saline 1 ml/kg, SB 200 mg/kg, zinc sulphate 10 ml/kg and SB 200 mg/kg + zinc sulphate 10 ml/kg/day daily respectively for three weeks. After treatment, the animals were subjected to different behavioural tests, and then sacrificed. Their blood samples were collected for catalase(CAT), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and interleukin-1B(IL-1B) assay. Brain samples were also collected for nuclear factor-erythroid-related factor 2(Nrf2), and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) mRNA gene expression. The serum levels of CAT and SOD were (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001) reduced in the SB only-treated group compared to the other groups. Nrf2 gene expression was totally shut down in the SB only-treated group but, up-regulated in the Zn-treated groups (p < 0.0001). The serum level of IL-1B was higher in the SB only-treated group compared to the other groups. SB-treated group spent longer time in the close arm (p = <0.0001), shorter time in the open arm (p = <0.0001) and had higher anxiety index (p = 0.0045) than the Zn-treated groups. Conclusively, Zinc improves memory deficit, has anxiolytic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Protective role of the dandelion extract against the blood-liver axis, cell membranes, and anemia disorder in sodium benzoate-exposed rats

Sodium benzoate (SB) as an additive in various food products prevents the growth of microbes. Although SB is considered safe, many studies have reported adverse effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dandelion extract on cell damage and hematological and biochemical disorders induced by SB in male albino rats. Different doses of SB (200 and 600 mg/kg) and ethanolic dandelion root extract (D) (40 mg/kg) were used in a 2-week treatment of rats. Rat mortality and a higher frequency of behavioral alterations such as apathy, anxiety, and aggression have been reported at a higher dose of SB. Changes in urine pH, proteinuria, nitrituria, and bilirubinemia caused by SB were regulated by adding dandelion extract. Analysis of specific serum and urine parameters, as well as microscopic analysis of hepatocytes, showed liver and kidney failure. Anemia associated with hemolytic disorder due to erythrocyte impaired the presence of acanthocytes, and decreased values of erythrocyte blood count, hemoglobin concentration, average red blood cell size, hemoglobin amount per red blood cell, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were caused by SB treatment. As a dietary supplement, dandelion extract can be useful in the prevention of SB-induced liver and kidney injury, and also a remedy against induced anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperproteinemia, hyperglycemia, and reduction of inflammatory responses.

Bitter Leaf (Vernonia Amygdalina) Modulates Nitrobenzene-Induced Renal Damage in Rats Via Suppression of Oxido-Inflammatory Activities

Renal diseases have been documented as one of the massive health challenges, ranked as the 12th most common cause of death globally. This study was carried out to assess the chemopreventive effects of Vernonia amydalina on nitrobenzene mediated renal damage in rats. Rats were exposed to 100 mg/kg body weight of nitrobenzene via oral administration and treated with 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) and 400 mg/kg BW of methanol leaf extract of Vernonia amydalina (MLVA) and Vitamin E for 14 consecutive days. Nitrobenzene significantly induced a renal injury with a significant increase in the serum levels of urea and creatinine with the concomitant altered serum electrolyte profile. Also, nitrobenzene mediated the oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation with a significant increase in the renal level of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), with a concomitant decrease in the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, an inflammation was observed in the nitrobenzene-treated rats with the elevated level of nitric oxide (NO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). However, the treatment with methanol leaf extract of Vernonia amydalina reversed all the nitrobenzene-associated renal damage, electrolyte imbalance, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, inflammation and altered antioxidant defence system. Taken together, methanol leaf extract of Vernonia amydalina offers protection which may be beneficial for the treatment and management of kidney diseases or other related disorders via enhancing the serum electrolyte homeostasis, protecting the structural integrity of the kidney, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Telfairia occidentalis mitigates dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in rats via suppression of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and inflammation

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a subcategory of inflammatory bowel diseases, affects more than 2 million people globally. This study sought to investigate the curative ability of aqueous leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis (ATO) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-mediated colitis in rats. UC was induced by 5% of DSS in drinking water, and the curative ability of ATO was assessed at 200 mg/kg by oral administration for 10 days. The effect of ATO was deduced on anti-inflammatory, preclinical features [disease activity index (DAI)], redox assays, and alterations both microscopic and macroscopic of the colonic mucosa. DSS mediated inflammation in colons of rats with a significant increase in nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels compared with a control group. Lipid peroxidation was also induced following exposure of rats to DSS. There is a marked decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities in DSS group. However, treatment with ATO markedly inhibited the colonic inflammation by reversing the elevated levels of inflammatory markers. Furthermore, ATO suppressed the lipid peroxidation chain reaction by reducing the level of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. ATO attenuates DSS-induced oxidative stress by increase the level of GSH and enhancing the activities of the cytoprotective enzymes (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase). Taken together, ATO reduced DAI score, inhibited inflammation, suppressed lipid peroxidation, attenuated oxidative stress, and enhanced the antioxidant enzymes activities. These therapeutic effects of ATO might be due to its phytochemicals as showed in gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy results. The findings of this study indicate that aqueous leaf extract of T. occidentalis has could be a drug candidate for the treatment of UC. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The study focused on the curative ability of aqueous leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) mediated colitis in rats. The extract elicits beneficial effects against colitis via its ability to reduce mucosal inflammation, suppress lipid peroxidation, attenuate oxidative stress, enhance the antioxidant enzymes activities, and reduce both infiltration of inflammatory cells and mucosal damage in colon. This study provides scientific evidence to the therapeutic ability of aqueous leaf extract of T. occidentalis in the treatment of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and could be a drug candidate for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases in humans.

Toxicity assessment of the methanol extract of Jatropha tanjorensis (Euphorbiaceae) leaves

Background

The leaves of Jatropha tanjorensis have been found to have important application both in traditional medicine and as an edible vegetable in Nigerian soups. It is popularly employed in Nigeria for the treatment of anemia, diabetes, and malaria. The dearth of information on its toxicity prompted this study. Mice were administered single oral doses of 10, 100, 1000, 1600, 2900, and 5000 mg/kg b.wt (n = 3/group) of the extract and were observed for 24 h for any sign of toxicity and mortality in the acute toxicity study. For the sub-acute toxicity study, doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b.wt of the extract were administered to experimental rats (n = 6/group) for 28 days after which the assessment of hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as liver and kidney histology was conducted post-treatment. Body weight of the animals was also taken weekly.

Results

The result showed that percentage weight gain decreased as the dose of extract increased. The haematological and biochemical parameters showed that the extract had no toxic effect on experimental animals, though there was a non-significant dose-dependent decrease in WBC. The extract also showed potential to cause hepatotoxicity at the highest dose.

Conclusion

Though the median lethal dose of the plant extract suggests relative safety of the plant material, consuming large amounts over a prolonged time may need to be discouraged to avoid potential damage to vital organs such as the liver.

Possible health benefits of polyphenols in neurological disorders associated with COVID-19

Novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents an emergent global health burden that has challenged the health systems worldwide. Since its sudden upsurge in 2019, many COVID-19 patients have exhibited neurological symptoms and complications. Till now, there is no known effective established drug against the highly contagious COVID-19 infection despite the frightening associated mortality rate. This article aims to present the mechanism of action of coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the clinical neurological manifestations displayed by COVID-19 patients, and present polyphenols with neuroprotective ability that can offer beneficial effects against COVID-19-mediated neuropathology. Reports from COVID-19 clinical studies, case reports, and other related literature were evaluated for this review. Neurological complications of COVID-19 include anosmia, acute cerebrovascular disease, acute disseminated post-infectious encephalomyelitis, encephalitis, etc. Also, SARS-CoV-2 sould be a neurotropic vіruѕ due to its iѕolatіon from serebroѕrіnal fluіd. Multіrle neurologіsal damages displayed by COVID-19 patients might be due to hyperinflammation associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections. Resveratrol, kolaviron, quercetin and apigenin are polyphenols with proven anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties that can extenuate the adverse effects of COVID-19. These polyphenols have been documented to suppress c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3-K), extrasellularѕіgnal-regulated kinase (ERK), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells (NF-kB) and mіtogen-astіvated protein kіnaѕe (MAPK) pathways which are essential in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. They also showed significant inhibitory activities against SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Taken together, these polyphenols may offer neuroprotective benefits against COVID-19 mediated neuropathology via modulation of the pathogenic pathways.

A systematic review on COVID-19 pandemic with special emphasis on curative potentials of Nigeria based medicinal plants

Despite the frightening mortality rate associated with COVID-19, there is no known approved drug to effectively combat the pandemic. COVID-19 clinical manifestations include fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, and other complications. At present, there is no known effective treatment or vaccine that can mitigate/inhibit SARS-CoV-2. Available clinical intervention for COVID-19 is only palliative and limited to support. Thus, there is an exigent need for effective and non-invasive treatment. This article evaluates the possible mechanism of actions of SARS-CoV-2 and present Nigeria based medicinal plants which have pharmacological and biological activities that can mitigate the hallmarks of the pathogenesis of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 mode of actions includes hyper-inflammation characterized by a severe and fatal hyper-cytokinaemia with multi-organ failure; immunosuppression; reduction of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to enhance pulmonary vascular permeability causing damage to the alveoli; and further activated by open reading frame (ORF)3a, ORF3b, and ORF7a via c-Jun N- terminal kinase (JNK) pathway which induces lung damage. These mechanisms of action of SARS-CoV-2 can be mitigated by a combination therapy of medicinal herbs based on their pharmacological activities. Since the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are multifactorial with co-morbidities, we strongly recommend the use of combined therapy such that two or more herbs with specific therapeutic actions are administered to combat the mediators of the disease.