How can nanomicelle-curcumin modulate aluminum phosphide-induced neurotoxicity?: Role of SIRT1/FOXO3 signaling pathway

Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is among the most significant causes of brain toxicity and death in many countries. Curcumin (CUR), a major turmeric component, is a potent protective agent against many diseases, including brain toxicity. This study aimed to examine the probable protection potential of nanomicelle curcumin (nanomicelle-CUR) and its underlying mechanism in a rat model of ALP-induced brain toxicity. A total of 36 Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6) and exposed to ALP (2 mg/kg/day, orally) + CUR or nanomicelle-CUR (100 mg/kg/day, orally) for 7 days. Then, they were anesthetized, and brain tissue samples were dissected to evaluate histopathological alterations, oxidative stress biomarkers, gene expression of SIRT1, FOXO1a, FOXO3a, CAT and GPX in brain tissue via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, biochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods and Real-Time PCR analysis. CUR and nanomicelle-CUR caused significant improvement in ALP-induced brain damage by reducing the MDA levels and induction of antioxidant capacity (TTG, TAC and SOD levels) and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, GPX), modulation of histopathological changes and up-regulation of gene expression of SIRT1 in brain tissue. It was concluded that nanomicelle-CUR treatment ameliorated the harmful effects of ALP-induced brain toxicity by reducing oxidative stress. Therefore, it could be considered a suitable therapeutic choice for ALP poisoning.

Counteracting arsenic toxicity: Curcumin to the rescue?

Arsenicosis leads to various irreversible damages in several organs and is considered to be a carcinogen. The effects of chronic arsenic poisoning are a result of an imbalance between pro- and antioxidant homeostasis, oxidative stress, as well as DNA and protein damage. Curcumin, the polyphenolic pigment extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, is well-known for its pleiotropic medicinal effects. Curcumin has been shown to have ameliorative effects in arsenic-induced genotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, angiogenesis, skin diseases, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. This review aims to summarize the scientific evidence on arsenic toxicity in various organs and the ameliorative effects of curcumin on the arsenic toxicity.

Redox status, inflammation, necroptosis and inflammasome as indispensable contributors to high fat diet (HFD)-induced neurodegeneration; Effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

Adequate dietary intake has a crucial effect on brain health. High fat diet (HFD) rich in saturated fatty acids is linked to obesity and its complications as neurodegeneration via inducing oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of HFD on cerebral cortex in addition to shedding the light on the modulatory role of N-acetylcytsteine (NAC) and its possible underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms. Twenty eight male Wistar rats were equally and randomly divided into four groups. Group III, and group IV were fed on HFD (45% kcal from fat) for 10 weeks. Group II and group IV were treated with NAC in a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight via intraperitoneal route. Body weight, blood glucose, serum insulin, insulin resistance index, cerebral cortex redox and inflammatory status were evaluated. Cerebral cortex receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase3 (RIPK3), mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), nod like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), interleukin (IL)-18 levels were determined by immunoassay. In addition, apoptosis-associated speck-like proteins (ASC) expression by real-time PCR; inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), glial fibrillary activating protein (GFAP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression by immunohistochemistry were evaluated. NAC supplementation protected against HFD-induced gain of weights, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Furthermore, NAC improved redox and inflammatory status; decreased levels of RIPK3, MLKL, NLRP3, IL-18; down-regulated ASC, iNOS, GFAP and MMP-9 expression; and decreased myeloperoxidase activity in cerebral cortex. NAC could protect against HFD-induced neurodegeneration via improving glycemic status and peripheral insulin resistance, disrupting oxidative stress/neuroinflammation/necroptosis/inflammasome activation axis in cerebral cortex. NAC may represent a promising strategy for conserving brain health against metabolic diseases-induced neurodegeneration.