Ziziphus spina-christi Leaf Extract Mitigates Mercuric Chloride-induced Cortical Damage in Rats

Mercuric chloride induced brain toxicity in mice: The protective effects of puerarin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles

Mercury is a toxic, environmentally heavy metal that can cause severe damage to all organs, including the nervous system. The functions of puerarin include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, nerve cell repair, regulation of autophagy, and so forth. But because of the limited oral absorption of puerarin, it affects the protective effect on brain tissue. The nano-encapsulation of Pue can improve its limitation. Therefore, this study investigated the protective effect of Pue drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (Pue-PLGA-nps) on brain injury induced by mercuric chloride (HgCl2 ) in mice. The mice were divided into normal saline (NS) group, HgCl2 (4 mg/kg) group, Pue-PLGA-nps (50 mg/kg) group, HgCl2  + Pue (4 mg/kg + 30 mg/kg) group, and HgCl2  + Pue-PLGA-nps (4 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) group. After 28 days of treatment, the mice were observed for behavioral changes, antioxidant capacity, autophagy and inflammatory response, and mercury levels in the brain, blood, and urine were measured. The results showed that HgCl2 toxicity caused learning and memory dysfunction in mice, increased mercury content in brain and blood, and increased serum levels of interleukin (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the mice. HgCl2 exposure decreased the activity of T-AOC, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, and increased the expression of malondialdehyde in the brain of mice. Moreover, the expression levels of TRIM32, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and LC3 proteins were upregulated. Both Pue and Pue-PLGA-nps interventions mitigated the changes caused by HgCl2 exposure, and Pue-PLGA-nps further enhanced this effect. Our results suggest that Pue-PLGA-nps can ameliorate HgCl2 -induced brain injury and reduce Hg accumulation, which is associated with inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and TLR4/TRIM32/LC3 signaling pathway.

Proanthocyanidins alleviate pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptic seizures in mice via the antioxidant activity

The role of oxidative stress in the initiation and progress of epilepsy is well established. Proanthocyanidins (PACs), a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound, have been reported to possess a broad spectrum of pharmacological and therapeutic properties against oxidative stress. However, the protective effects of proanthocyanidins against epilepsy have not been clarified. In the present study, we used the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced epilepsy mouse model to explore whether proanthocyanidins could help to reduce oxidative stress and protect against epilepsy. Mice were allocated into four groups (n = 14 per each group): control, PTZ (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), PACs + PTZ (200 mg/kg, p.o.) and sodium valproate (VPA) + PTZ (200 mg/kg, p.o.). PTZ injection caused oxidative stress in the hippocampal tissue as represented by the elevated lipid peroxidation and NO synthesis and increased expression of iNOS. Furthermore, depleted levels of anti-oxidants, GSH, GR, GPx, SOD, and CAT also indicate that oxidative stress was induced in mice exposed to PTZ. Additionally, a state of neuroinflammation was recorded following the developed seizures. Moreover, neuronal apoptosis was recorded following the development of epileptic convulsions as confirmed by the elevated Bax and caspase-3 and the decreased Bcl2 protein. Moreover, AChE activity, DA, NE, 5-HT, brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, and gene expression of Nrf2 have decreased in the hippocampal tissue of PTZ exposed mice. However, pre-treatment of mice with PACs protected against the generation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation in the PTZ exposed mice brain as the biomarkers for all these conditions was bought to control levels. In addition, the gene expression of Nrf2 was significantly upregulated following PACs treatment. These results suggest that PACs can ameliorate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal apoptosis by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway in PTZ induced seizures in mice.

Ethnopharmacology, Biological Evaluation, and Chemical Composition of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.: A Review

Medicinal plants are the primary raw materials used in the production of medicinal products all over the world. As a result, more study on plants with therapeutic potential is required. The tropical tree Ziziphus spina belongs to the Rhamnaceae family. Biological reports and traditional applications including management of diabetes and treatment of malaria, digestive issues, typhoid, liver complaints, weakness, skin infections, urinary disorders, obesity, diarrhoea, and sleeplessness have all been treated with different parts of Z. spina all over the globe. The plant is identified as a rich source of diverse chemical compounds. This study is a comprehensive yet detailed review of Z. spina based on major findings from around the world regarding ethnopharmacology, biological evaluation, and chemical composition. Scopus, Web of Science, BioMed Central, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Springer Link, and Google Scholar were searched to find published articles. From the 186 research articles reviewed, we revealed the leaf extract to be significant against free radicals, microbes, parasites, inflammation-related cases, obesity, and cancer. Chemically, polyphenols/flavonoids were the most reported compounds with a composition of 66 compounds out of the total 193 compounds reported from different parts of the plant. However, the safety and efficacy of Z. spina have not been wholly assessed in humans, and further well-designed clinical trials are needed to corroborate preclinical findings. The mechanism of action of the leaf extract should be examined. The standard dose and safety of the leaf should be established.