A biochemical, theoretical and immunohistochemical study comparing the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin and taurine on T-2 toxin induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Resveratrol Alleviated T-2 Toxin-Induced Liver Injury via Preservation of Nrf2 Pathway and GSH Synthesis

T-2 toxin is a trichothecene mycotoxin and is considered as an extremely inevitable pollutant with potent hepatotoxicity. However, the approach to alleviation of T-2 toxin-triggered hepatotoxicity has been recognized as a serious challenge. Resveratrol (Res) is a polyphenol natural product isolated from various plant species, but its protective effect against T-2 toxin hepatotoxicity and detailed mechanism remains obscure. In the present study, the effect of Res against the hepatotoxicity was evaluated, and the underlying mechanisms were further revealed in mice. Functionally, Res inhibited liver injury, oxidative damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by T-2 toxin. Mechanistically, Res modulated Nrf2-mediated antioxidant pathway and glutathione synthesis inhibition. Collectively, our findings first showed beyond doubt that Res ameliorated T-2 toxin-triggered liver injury by regulating Nrf2 pathways in mice.

A preliminary study of T-2 toxin that cause liver injury in rats via the NF-kB and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis pathway

T-2 toxin is recognized as the most potent and prevalent secondary metabolite among monotrichous mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species. Multiple studies have substantiated the hepatotoxic effects of T-2 toxin. This study aimed to investigate whether NF-κB and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis is involved in the underlying mechanism of T-2 toxin hepatotoxicity. We designed three groups of rat models, blank control; solvent control and T-2 toxin (0.2 mg/kg body weight/day), which were euthanized at week 8 after gavage staining of the toxin. Through HE staining and biochemical indicators associated with liver injury, we observed that T-2 toxin induced liver damage in rats. By Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR, we found that the expression levels of pyroptosis-related genes and proteins were significantly higher in the T-2 toxin group. In addition, we also found a significant increase in the expression of p-NF-κB protein, an upstream regulator of NLRP3. In conclusion, NF-κB and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis may be involved in the mechanism of hepatotoxic action of T-2 toxin, which provides a new perspective.

Effective protective agents against the organ toxicity of T-2 toxin and corresponding detoxification mechanisms: A narrative review

T-2 toxin is one of the most widespread and toxic fungal toxins in food and feed. It can cause gastrointestinal toxicity, hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity in humans and animals. T-2 toxin is physicochemically stable and does not readily degrade during food and feed processing. Therefore, suppressing T-2 toxin-induced organ toxicity through antidotes is an urgent issue. Protective agents against the organ toxicity of T-2 toxin have been recorded widely in the literature, but these protective agents and their molecular mechanisms of detoxification have not been comprehensively summarized. In this review, we provide an overview of the various protective agents to T-2 toxin and the molecular mechanisms underlying the detoxification effects. Targeting appropriate targets to antagonize T-2 toxin toxicity is also an important option. This review will provide essential guidance and strategies for the better application and development of T-2 toxin antidotes specific for organ toxicity in the future.

Drug-induced liver injury and anti-hepatotoxic effect of herbal compounds: a metabolic mechanism perspective

BACKGROUND

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the most challenging and thought-provoking liver problem for hepatologists owing to unregulated medication usage in medical practices, nutritional supplements, and botanicals. Due to underreporting, analysis, and identification issues, clinically evaluated medication hepatotoxicity is prevalent yet hard to quantify.

PURPOSE

This review's primary objective is to thoroughly compare pharmaceutical drugs and herbal compounds that have undergone clinical trials, focusing on their metabolic mechanisms contributing to the onset of liver illnesses and their hepatoprotective effects.

METHODS

The data was gathered from several online sources, such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, using appropriate keywords.

RESULTS

The prevalence of conventional and herbal medicine is rising. A comprehensive understanding of the metabolic mechanism is necessary to mitigate the hepatotoxicity induced by drugs and facilitate the incorporation or substitution of herbal medicine instead of pharmaceuticals. Moreover, pre-clinical pharmacological research has the potential to facilitate the development of natural products as therapeutic agents, displaying promising possibilities for their eventual clinical implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

Acetaminophen, isoniazid, rifampicin, diclofenac, and pyrogallol have been identified as the most often reported synthetic drugs that produce hepatotoxicity by oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis during the last several decades. Due to their ability to downregulate many factors (such as cytokines) and activate several enzyme/enzyme systems, herbal substances (such as Gingko biloba extract, curcumin, resveratrol, and silymarin) provide superior protection against harmful mechanisms which induce hepatotoxicity with fewer adverse effects than their synthetic counterparts.

Involvement of Nrf2, JAK and COX pathways in acetaminophen-induced nephropathy: Role of some antioxidants

Objectives

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced nephrotoxicity is detrimental consequence for which there has not been a standardized therapeutic regimen. Although, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a well-known antidote used in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, its benefit in nephrotoxicity caused by APAP is almost lacking. This study aimed to compare the possible protective effect of thymoquinone (TQ), curcumin (CR), and α-lipoic acid (α-LA), either in solo or in combination regimens with that of NAC against APAP-induced renal injury.

Design and method

Rats were divided into nine groups; control group, APAP intoxicated group (1000 mg/kg; orally), and the remaining seven groups received, in addition to APAP, oral doses of NAC, TQ, CR, α-LA, CR plus TQ, TQ plus α-LA, or CR plus α-LA. The first dose of the aforementioned antioxidants was given 24 h before APAP, and then the second dose was given 2 h after APAP, whereas the last dose was given 10 h after administration of APAP.

Results

Treatment with APAP elevated kidney markers like serum uric acid, urea, and creatinine. In addition, it increased the serum level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS). Also, the protein expression of renal janus kinase (JAK) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 were all upregulated by APAP. In contrast, the expression of Nrf2 and the renal levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were downregulated. Treatment with the indicated natural antioxidants resulted in amelioration of the aberrated parameters through exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and free radical-scavenging effects with a variable degree.

Conclusion

The combined administration of CR and TQ exerted the most potent protection against APAP-induced nephrotoxicity through its anti-inflammatory and free radical-scavenging effects (antioxidant) which were comparable to that of NAC-treatment.