Plant Food Extracts as Source of Bioactive Compounds for Prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Dysfunction in Rats

Water and alcohol extracts from Diaphragma juglandis on anti-fatigue and antioxidative effects in vitro and vivo

BACKGROUND

To estimate the anti-fatigue and antioxidative effects of water and alcohol extracts from Diaphragma juglandis (DJ), H₂ O₂ -treated HepG2 cells were used as an in vitro model to determine the total antioxidant capacities of these two extracts, and behavioral tests on mice and biochemical assay were performed via in vivo experiments.

RESULTS

The results indicate that both extracts possess remarkable HepG2 protective capacities and were capable of scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) similar to vitamin C. Furthermore, they could significantly prolong the bar climbing time and force swimming time, as well as decrease the serum urea nitrogen and increase the lactate dehydrogenase level and glycogen content. These extracts could also improve the activities of total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, both water and alcohol extracts from DJ showed good performance with respect to anti-fatigue and could be a potential antioxidant additive in the field of functional foods. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Rice bran as source of nutraceuticals for management of cardiovascular diseases, cardio-renal syndrome and hepatic cancer

Introduction: The interrelation between cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and renal dysfunction and the beneficial role of nutraceuticals are worthy to be studied. Nutraceuticals with anticancer effects are gaining great importance. The aim of this research was studying the anti-cancer, CVDs prevention and renal dysfunction properties of γ-oryzanol (γ-O) and rice bran oil/γ-O mixture (RBO/γ-O) as nutraceuticals. Methods: Rats were divided into 7 groups. Group 1 was fed on balanced diet and served as normal control (NC). Group 2 consumed high-fat-sucrose diet (HFSD) as CVD control. Groups 3 and 4 were fed on HFSD and treated by γ-O and RBO/γ-O, respectively. Group 5 was maintained on HFSD with cisplatin injection (cardiorenal syndrome control) (CRSC). Groups 6 and 7 were treated like group 5 and given either γ-O or RBO/γ-O. Plasma lipid profile, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), catalase activity, creatinine and urea were determined besides urinary creatinine clearance. Nutraceuticals’ anticancer effect was assessed in hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HepG2) line. Results: Significant increases (P < 0.05) in lipid parameters with reduction of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were noticed in CVD control compared to NC group; the same changes were demonstrated in CRSC with lesser extent. In CVD control and CRSC groups; a significant increase (P < 0.05) in MDA and TNF-α with a reduction in catalase were noticed. Kidney dysfunction was demonstrated in the CRSC group. Administration of both RBO/γ-O and γ-O produced variable improvements in all parameters in both models and had anticancer effects. Conclusion: RBO/γ-O and γ-O had protective effects on CVDs and cardiorenal syndrome as well as anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activities with superiority of RBO/γ-O.

Application of liquisolid technology for promoting the renoprotective efficacy of walnut extracts in chronic renal failure rat model

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is among the major health problems that could lead to increased morbidity and mortality among population. 'Nutraceuticals' is an emerging field for natural agents from plant foods that could reduce the progression of such disease. Many newly developed drugs are having bioavailability problems owing to their water insolubility. Liquisolid technique is one of the promising technological approaches to increase solubility and hence, drug absorption. The aim of the present research is to prepare and evaluate the renoprotective effect of the walnut extracts liquisolid formulations in CRF rat model. Saturation solubility study claimed PEG 400 and Tween 20 as good solubilizers for walnut extracts, thus chosen for preparation. The angle of slide was determined for the carrier; microcrystalline cellulose and coating material; silicon dioxide and liquid load factor was evaluated. Eight liquisolid systems were prepared employing 25% and 50% of liquid medication. Their flow and compressibility parameters showed good properties. Dissolution study was more in favor of formulations prepared using PEG 400. Of these, formulation F8 comprising carrier/coat ratio (10:1) and 50% liquid medication, showing superior dissolution properties was selected to perform stability and in-vivo evaluations. Two CRF induced rat groups received F8 at two oral doses (50 and 100 mg/kg). Biochemical and nutritional parameters were compared with both normal and CRF control rats. Results showed improvement of renal function, oxidative stress, antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers as well as increased appetite and body weight gain on administration of both doses of walnut liquisolid formulation, F8.

Regulation of urinary crystal inhibiting proteins and inflammatory genes by lemon peel extract and formulated citrus bioflavonoids on ethylene glycol induced urolithic rats

The objective of this study is to check the regulation of crystal matrix proteins and inflammatory mediators by citrus bioflavonoids (CB) and Lemon peel (LP) extract in hyperoxaluric rats. The animals were divided into six groups with 6 animals each. Group 1: Control, Group 2: Urolithic (Ethylene glycol (EG)-0.75%); Group 3 & 5: Preventive study (EG + CB (20 mg/kg body weight) and LP (100 mg/kg body weight) extract administration from 0th-7th week) respectively; Group 4 & 6: Curative study (EG + CB and LP extract administration from 4th-7th week) respectively by oral administration. Urinary lithogenic factors (Calcium, oxalate, phosphate and citrate) were normalized in CB & LP supplemented rats, while serum parameters revealed the nephroprotective nature of the intervening agents compared to urolithic rats (p < 0.001). Immunoblotting studies showed significantly increased expression of THP, osteopontin and transferrin in kidneys of urolithic rats (p < 0.001), while preventive and curative study showed near normal expression of these proteins. Expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 were raised significantly (p < 0.001), while a very minimal increase in MCP-1 expression was observed in urolithic rats compared to control. Hence, supplementation of CB and LP reduced the crystal promoting factors and provides protection from crystal induced renal damage.