Salix subserrata Bark Extract-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Attenuate Neurotoxicity Induced by Sodium Arsenate in Rats in Relation with HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS Profile

Nicorandil mitigates arsenic trioxide-induced lung injury via modulating vital signalling pathways SIRT1/PGC-1α/TFAM, JAK1/STAT3, and miRNA-132 expression

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Nicorandil, a selective opener of potassium channels, used to treat angina, has drawn attention for its potential in mitigating lung injury, positioning it as a promising therapeutic approach to treat drug-induced lung toxicity. This study aimed to explore the protective role of nicorandil in arsenic trioxide (ATO)-induced lung injury and to elucidate the underlying mechanistic pathways.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We assessed the effects of nicorandil (15 mg·kg-1, p.o.) in a rat model of pulmonary injury induced by ATO (5 mg·kg-1, i.p.). The assessment included oxidative stress biomarkers, inflammatory cytokine levels, and other biomarkers, including sirtuin-1, sirtuin-3, STAT3, TFAM, and JAK in lung tissue. Histological examination using H&E staining and molecular investigations using western blotting and PCR techniques were conducted.

KEY RESULTS

In our model of lung injury, treatment with nicorandil ameliorated pathological changes as seen with H&E staining, reduced tissue levels of toxicity markers, and exerted significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. On a molecular level, treatment with nicorandil down-regulated JAK, STAT3, PPARγ, Nrf2, VEGF, p53, and micro-RNA 132 while up-regulating Sirt1, 3, TFAM, AMPK, and ERR-α in lung tissue.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The results presented here show nicorandil as a significant agent in attenuating lung injury induced by ATO in a rodent model. Nonetheless, further clinical studies are warranted to strengthen these findings.

Inhibition of the Naja naja venom toxicity by polymeric nanoparticles loaded with Leucas aspera methanolic extract

Background

Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Developing effective treatments can make a significant contribution to global health efforts and public health initiatives. To reduce mortality due to snakebite, there is an immediate need to explore novel and effective treatment methodologies. In that context, nanoparticle-based drug delivery is gaining a lot of attention. Hydrophilic nanoparticles are suitable for the delivery of therapeutic peptides, proteins, and antigens.

Methods

The present investigation is aimed at evaluating the anti-ophidian potential of the methanolic extract of the ethno-medicinal herb Leucas aspera (Willd.) loaded within chitosan nanoparticles (CNP-LA), against the Indian cobra (Naja naja) venom enzymes. For this purpose, nanoparticles were prepared using the ionic gelation method to enhance the efficacy of the extract. The physicochemical and structural features of nanoparticles were investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques.

Results

It was found that CNP-LA has an average size of 260 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.132 (PDI) and zeta potential of 34.7 mV, with an encapsulation efficiency of 92.46%. The in vitro release study was performed at pH 5.0 and 7.4. Furthermore, in vitro studies indicated that CNP-LA inhibited the phospholipase A2, hemolytic, and caseinolytic activities of Naja naja venom with the percentage inhibition of 92.5%, 83.9%, and 94.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

This is the first report on the application of herbal methanolic extract loaded within chitosan nanoparticles for neutralizing snake venom enzymes with increased efficiency.

Co-administration of L-Ascorbic Acid and α-Tocopherol Alleviates Arsenic-Induced Immunotoxicities in the Thymus and Spleen by Dwindling Oxidative Stress-Induced Inflammation

Herein, we investigated whether L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) and α-tocopherol (α-T) co-administration has the potential to alleviate arsenic-induced immunotoxicities in the thymus, spleen, and circulating leukocytes. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups before the treatment: group I (control); group II (sodium arsenite, 3 mg/kg/day/rat); group III (sodium arsenite + L-AA (200 mg/kg/day/rat) and α-T (400 mg/kg/day/rat)); group IV (L-AA and α-T). The result showed that sodium arsenite exposure (consecutive 30 days) caused weight reduction, structural alterations in the thymus and spleen, accompanied by a decrease in thymocyte and splenocyte count. Decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, increased malondialdehyde and protein-carbonyl content, reduced Nrf2 and Bcl2 expression, and increased p-ERK, NF-kβ, Bax, and cleaved-caspase-3 expression were also observed in the thymus and spleen of arsenic-exposed rats. Enhanced plasma ACTH and corticosterone, ROS-induced apoptosis of lymphocytes were also observed. L-AA and α-T co-administration has the potential to abrogate the deleterious impact of arsenic on the thymus, spleen, and circulating lymphocytes. Whole transcriptome analysis of leukocytes revealed that arsenic treatment augmented the expression of Itga4, Itgam, and MMP9 genes, which might help in transient migration of the leukocytes through the endothelial cell layer. Co-administration with L-AA and α-T maintained Itga4, Itgam, and MMP9 gene expression within leukocytes at a lower level.

Neuroprotective Assessment of Betaine against Copper Oxide Nanoparticle-Induced Neurotoxicity in the Brains of Albino Rats: A Histopathological, Neurochemical, and Molecular Investigation

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) are commonly used metal oxides. Betaine possesses antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. The current study aimed to investigate the neurotoxic effect of CuO-NPs on rats and the capability of betaine to mitigate neurotoxicity. Forty rats; 4 groups: group I a control, group II intraperitoneally CuO-NPs (0.5 mg/kg/day), group III orally betaine (250 mg/kg/day) and CuO-NPs, group IV orally betaine for 28 days. Rats were subjected to neurobehavioral assessments. Brain samples were processed for biochemical, molecular, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Behavioral performance of betaine demonstrated increasing locomotion and cognitive abilities. Group II exhibited significantly elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), overexpression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Significant decrease in glutathione (GSH), and downregulation of acetylcholine esterase (AChE), nuclear factor erythroid 2-like protein 2 (Nrf-2), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Histopathological alterations; neuronal degeneration, pericellular spaces, and neuropillar vacuolation. Immunohistochemically, an intense immunoreactivity is observed against IL-1β and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Betaine partially neuroprotected against CuO-NPs associated alterations. A significant decrease at MDA, downregulation of IL-1β, and TNF-α, a significant increase at GSH, and upregulation of AChE, Nrf-2, and SOD. Histopathological alterations partially ameliorated. Immunohistochemical intensity of IL-1β and GFAP reduced. It is concluded that betaine neuroprotected against most of CuO-NP neurotoxic effects through antioxidant and cell redox system stimulating efficacy.

Protective role of hesperetin in sorafenib-induced hepato- and neurotoxicity in mice via modulating apoptotic pathways and mitochondrial reprogramming

INTRODUCTION

Sorafenib, an FDA-approved standard chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, is associated with numerous adverse effects that significantly impact patients' physiological well-being. Consequently, identifying agents that mitigate these side effects while enhancing efficacy is crucial. Hesperetin, a flavone present in fruits and vegetables, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. This study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxic and neurotoxic effects of sorafenib and the potential protective role of hesperetin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Swiss albino mice were orally administered sorafenib (100 mg/kg) alone or in combination with hesperetin (50 mg/kg) over 21 days. Behavioral assessments for anxiety and depressive-like behaviors were conducted. Additionally, evaluations encompassed apoptotic activity, mitochondrial integrity, liver enzyme levels, proliferation rates, and histopathological changes.

RESULTS

Combining hesperetin with sorafenib showed improvements in behavioral alterations, liver damage, brain mitochondrial dysfunction, and liver apoptosis compared to the sorafenib-only group in mice.

CONCLUSION

Hesperetin exhibits potential as an adjunct to sorafenib, mitigating its side effects by attenuating its toxicity, enhancing efficacy, and potentially reducing the occurrence of sorafenib-induced resistance through the downregulation of hepatocyte growth factor levels.

Potential Hepatoprotective Effects of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana against Methotrexate-Induced Liver Injury: Integrated Phytochemical Profiling, Target Network Analysis, and Experimental Validation

Methotrexate (MTX) therapy encounters significant limitations due to the significant concern of drug-induced liver injury (DILI), which poses a significant challenge to its usage. To mitigate the deleterious effects of MTX on hepatic function, researchers have explored plant sources to discover potential hepatoprotective agents. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of the ethanolic extract derived from the aerial parts of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (CLAE) against DILI, specifically focusing on MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS was used to identify 61 compounds in CLAE, with 31 potential bioactive compounds determined through pharmacokinetic analysis. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 195 potential DILI targets for the bioactive compounds, including TP53, IL6, TNF, HSP90AA1, EGFR, IL1B, BCL2, and CASP3 as top targets. In vivo experiments conducted on rats with acute MTX-hepatotoxicity revealed that administering CLAE orally at 200 and 400 mg/kg/day for ten days dose-dependently improved liver function, attenuated hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, and reversed the disarrayed hepatic histological features induced by MTX. In general, the findings of the present study provide evidence in favor of the hepatoprotective capabilities of CLAE in DILI, thereby justifying the need for additional preclinical and clinical investigations.

Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded with Capparis cartilaginea Decne Extract: Insights into Characterization and Antigenotoxicity In Vivo

Plant-based foods may enhance the prevention of cancer. The present investigation aimed to assess the antigenotoxic effects of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) when loaded with the ethanol extract of C. cartilaginea (CNPs/Cc). Synthesis of CNPs and CNPs/Cc and their characterization were carried out using TEM, EDS, DSC, and Zeta potential. For in vivo experiments, animal groups were treated in the following groups: negative control, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) (240 mg/kg), CNPs (350 mg/kg), high and low doses of CNPs/Cc, CNPs plus EMS, high dose of CNPs/Cc plus EMS, and low dose of CNPs/Cc plus EMS. Bone marrow chromosomal aberrations and sperm shape abnormalities were examined. TEM results showed that CNPs and CNPs/Cc are spherical particles. CNPs' physical stability was observed to be lower than that of CNPs/Cc due to the presence of more positive charges on CNPs/Cc. EMS significantly enhanced chromosomal abnormalities and sperm shape abnormalities. CNPs showed powerful antigenotoxic properties. For the first time, it could be concluded that loading chitosan nanoparticles with C. cartilaginea extract significantly promotes its protective properties.

Combined β-sitosterol and trimetazidine mitigate potassium dichromate-induced cardiotoxicity in rats through the interplay between NF-κB/AMPK/mTOR/TLR4 and HO-1/NADPH signaling pathways

Hexavalent chromium salt, like potassium dichromate (PD), is chromium's most precarious valence state in industrial wastes. Recently, there has been increasing interest in β-sitosterol (BSS), a bioactive phytosterol, as a dietary supplement. BSS is recommended in treating cardiovascular disorders due to its antioxidant effect. Trimetazidine (TMZ) was used traditionally for cardioprotection. Through the administration of BSS and TMZ, the cardiotoxic effects of PD were to be countered in this study, in addition to examining the precise mechanism of PD-induced cardiotoxicity. Thirty male albino rats were divided into five groups; the control group: administered normal saline daily (3 mL/kg); the PD group: administered normal saline daily (3 mL/kg); BSS group: administered BSS daily (20 mg/kg); TMZ group: administered TMZ daily (15 mg/kg); and the BSS + TMZ group: administered both BSS (20 mg/kg) and TMZ (15 mg/kg) daily. All experimental groups, except the control, received on the 19th day a single dose of PD (30 mg/kg/day, S.C.). Normal saline, BSS, and TMZ were received daily for 21 consecutive days p.o. The exposure to PD promoted different oxidative stresses, pro-inflammatory, and cardiotoxicity biomarkers. BSS or TMZ succeeded solely in reducing these deleterious effects; however, their combination notably returned measured biomarkers close to normal values. The histopathological investigations have supported the biochemical findings. The combination of BSS and TMZ protects against PD cardiotoxicity in rats by reducing oxidative stress and apoptotic and inflammatory biomarkers. It may be promising for alleviating and protecting against PD-induced cardiotoxicity in people at an early stage; however, these findings need further clinical studies to be confirmed. HIGHLIGHTS: • Potassium dichromate induces cardiotoxicity in rats through the upregulation of oxidative stress, proinflammatory, and apoptotic pathways biomarkers. • β-Sitosterol possesses a possible cardioprotective effect by modulating several signaling pathways. • Trimetazidine, the antianginal agent, has a potential cardioprotective impact on PD-intoxicated rat model. • The combination of β-Sitosterol and trimetazidine was the best in modulating different pathways involved in PD cardiotoxicity in rats via the interplay between NF-κB/AMPK/mTOR/TLR4 and HO-1/NADPH signaling pathways.