Dietary inclusion of sorghum (Sorghum bicolour) straw dye protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats

Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Toxicity: Potential Roles of Major NAD+-Dependent Enzymes and Plant-Derived Natural Products

Cisplatin is an FDA approved anti-cancer drug that is widely used for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. However, the severe adverse effects of cisplatin, particularly kidney toxicity, restrict its clinical and medication applications. The major mechanisms of cisplatin-induced renal toxicity involve oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal fibrosis, which are covered in this short review. In particular, we review the underlying mechanisms of cisplatin kidney injury in the context of NAD⁺-dependent redox enzymes including mitochondrial complex I, NAD kinase, CD38, sirtuins, poly-ADP ribosylase polymerase, and nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) and their potential contributing roles in the amelioration of cisplatin-induced kidney injury conferred by natural products derived from plants. We also cover general procedures used to create animal models of cisplatin-induced kidney injury involving mice and rats. We highlight the fact that more studies will be needed to dissect the role of each NAD⁺-dependent redox enzyme and its involvement in modulating cisplatin-induced kidney injury, in conjunction with intensive research in NAD⁺ redox biology and the protective effects of natural products against cisplatin-induced kidney injury.

Effect of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut-supplemented diet on steroidogenic enzymes, hormonal and oxidative imbalances, and sperm parameters in cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapeutic/anticancer drug culpable in sperm and testicular damage, but the use of dietary patterns has been reported to averse this effect. To date, no report on the use of roasted cashew nut-supplemented diets (RCNSD) against chemotherapy-induced testicular damage has been presented. In this study, the effect of 10% and 20% RCNSD on reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal antioxidant status, and steroidogenic enzymes activities in CP-induced rats were determined. Interestingly, these parameters were boosted, but with a decrement in radical species level in the testes/epididymis of CP-induced rats fed with RCNSD as against the untreated CP-induced rats. The modulatory effect of RCNSD on the tested reproductive parameters in studied tissues could be among the mechanism of action, by which RCNSD mitigates andrological toxicity. Hence, RCNSD could be harnessed as a functional food/nutraceutical agent for alleviating the andrological toxicity of CP-induced male reproduction. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Consumption of cashew nuts has been a great benefit to human health, as a result of its richness in nutritional constituents including biologically active amino acids, tocopherols, fatty acids, polyphenols, and selenium, among others. Cashew nuts are mostly consumed fried/roasted, with yoghurt, as a paste, or used as an ingredient in confectionery products. The folkloric use of cashew nuts in the management of cardiovascular diseases, male reproductive disorders, and diabetes has been reported. In this study, the ability of roasted cashew nut-supplemented diets to modulate reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, testicular and epididymal antioxidant status, and steroidogenic enzymes activities in CP-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats was revealed, thus, indicating its possible use, clinically, in the management of reproductive toxicity induced by cancer drugs.

Medicinal herbs Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC., Casuarina equisetifolia L. and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench protect human cells from MPP+ damage via inducing FBXO7 expression

BACKGROUND

The F-box protein 7 (FBXO7) mutations have been identified in families with early-onset parkinsonism and pyramidal tract signs, and designated as PARK15. In addition, FBXO7 mutations were found in typical and young onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Evidence has also shown that FBXO7 plays an important role in the development of dopaminergic neurons and increased stability and overexpression of FBXO7 may be beneficial to PD.

PURPOSE

We screened extracts of medicinal herbs to enhance FBXO7 expression for neuroprotection in MPP⁺-treated cells.

METHODS

Promoter reporter assay in HEK-293 cells was used to examine the cis/trans elements controlling FBXO7 expression and to screen extracts of medicinal herbs enhancing FBXO7 expression. MTT assay was performed to assess cell viability of MPP⁺-treated HEK-293/SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, proteasome activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and FBXO7/TRAF2/GATA2 protein expression were evaluated.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that -202--57 region of the FBXO7 promoter is likely to contain sequences that are bound by positive trans protein factors to activate FBXO7 expression and GATA2 is the main trans protein factor enhancing FBXO7 expression. Extracts of medicinal herbs Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC. (Umbelliferae), Casuarina equisetifolia L. (Casuarinaceae), and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Gramineae) improved cell viability of both MPP⁺-treated HEK-293 and SH-SY5Y cells, rescued proteasome activity in MPP⁺-treated HEK-293 cells, and restored mitochondrial membrane potential in MPP⁺-treated SH-SY5Y cells. These protection effects of herbal extracts are acting through enhancing FBXO7 and decreasing TRAF2 expression, which is probably mediated by GATA2 induction.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our study provides new targets, FBXO7 and its regulator GATA2, for the development of potential treatments of PD.

Indole-3-carbinol protects against cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity: role of calcitonin gene-related peptide and insulin-like growth factor-1

Nephrotoxicity associated with the clinical use of the anticancer drug cisplatin is a limiting problem. Thus, searching for new protective measures is required. Indole-3-carbinol is a powerful anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent. The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of indole-3-carbinol against cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats. Rats were pre-treated with 20 mg/kg indole-3-carbinol orally before giving cisplatin (7 mg/kg). Cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity was demonstrated where relative kidney weight, BUN and serum creatinine were significantly increased. Increased oxidative stress was evident in cisplatin group where GSH and SOD tissue levels were significantly depleted. Also, lipid peroxidation and NOX-1 were increased as compared to the control. Additionally, renal expression of pro-inflammatory mediators was induced by cisplatin. Cisplatin-induced cell death was shown by increased caspase-3 and decreased expression of EGF, IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor. Nephrotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptotic effects induced by cisplatin were significantly ameliorated by indole-3-carbinol pre-treatment. Besides, the role of CGRP in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity was explored. Furthermore, cisplatin cytotoxic activity was significantly enhanced by indole-3-carbinol pre-treatment in vitro. In conclusion, indole-3-carbinol provides protection against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Also, reduced expression of CGRP may play a role in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced renal injury.