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Khafaji SS. Comparing the effects of Cyperus esculentus hydroethanolic extract and Euterpe oleracea on reproductive efficacy against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in male rats. J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10:685-695. [PMID: 38370884 PMCID: PMC10868703 DOI: 10.5455/javar.2023.j724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) is an environmentally toxic pollutant that can cause reprotoxicity. Cyperus esculentus and Euterpe oleracea are potent antioxidant plants currently used to counteract the action of harmful pollutants. The present experiment was intended to evaluate and comp are the role of C. esculentus hydroethanolic extract (CHE) and E. oleracea in treating the reprotoxicity induced by CdCl2 in rats. Materials and Methods Forty adult male rats (160-210 gm) were allocated into five groups equally. Control group: received 5 ml of normal saline (NS); the other treatment groups were injected with CdCl2 as a single dose for two weeks to induce testicular toxicity. After 14 days, the four groups were treated orally daily for two months as follows: The cadmium group (Cd) received NS, the third group (TC) was administered 800 mg/kg BW of CHE, the fourth group (TO) received 500 mg/kg BW of E. oleracea, and the fifth group (TCO) received CHE with E. oleracea. Results The live sperm and motility, serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) were significantly increased in the TCO, TC, and TO groups compared with the Cd group. Testicular nitric oxide and malondialdehyde were elevated significantly in the Cd group compared to the TC, TO, TCO, and control groups. The fold changes of Fshβ, Lhβ, and Gnrh genes were upregulated in the TCO group compared to the Cd and control groups. Conclusion The combination of CHE with E. oleracea showed improvements in rat testicles affected by cadmium toxicity via upregulated reproductive gene expression and its antioxidant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sura Safi Khafaji
- Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Al-Qasim Green University, Al-Qasim City, Babylon Province, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Iraq
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Impellizzeri D, Siracusa R, D'Amico R, Fusco R, Cordaro M, Cuzzocrea S, Di Paola R. Açaí berry ameliorates cognitive impairment by inhibiting NLRP3/ASC/CASP axis in STZ-induced diabetic neuropathy in mice. J Neurophysiol 2023; 130:671-683. [PMID: 37584088 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00239.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes complications such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) are linked to morbidity and mortality. Peripheral nerve damages in DPN are accompanied by discomfort, weakness, and sensory loss. Some drugs may demonstrate their therapeutic promise by reducing neuroinflammation, but they have side effects. Based on these considerations, the objective of this study was to examine the beneficial properties of açaí berry in a mouse model of DPN generated by injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Açaí berry was given orally to diabetic and control mice every day beginning 2 wk after STZ injection. The animals were euthanized after 16 wk, and tissues from the spinal cord and sciatic nerve and urine were taken. Our findings showed that daily treatment of açaí berry at a dose of 500 mg/kg was able to prevent behavioral changes as well as mast cell activation and nerve deterioration via NOD-like receptor family pyrin-domain-containing-3 (NLRP3)/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a card (ASC)/caspase (CASP) regulation after diabetes induction.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our research shows that açaí berry reduces mast cells degranulation and histological damage in diabetic neuropathy, improves physiological defense against reactive oxygen species, modulates the NLRP3/ASC/CASP axis, and ameliorates inflammation and oxidative stress. Diet could help treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Ramona D'Amico
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Cordaro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Spinelli S, Straface E, Gambardella L, Caruso D, Falliti G, Remigante A, Marino A, Morabito R. Aging Injury Impairs Structural Properties and Cell Signaling in Human Red Blood Cells; Açaì Berry Is a Keystone. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040848. [PMID: 37107223 PMCID: PMC10135063 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Red blood cell (RBC) deformability is the ability of cells to modulate their shape to ensure transit through narrow capillaries of the microcirculation. A loss of deformability can occur in several pathological conditions, during natural RBC aging through an increase in membrane protein phosphorylation, and/or through the structural rearrangements of cytoskeletal proteins due to oxidative conditions, with a key role played by band 3. Due to the close relationship between aging and oxidative stress, flavonoid-rich foods are good candidates to counteract age-related alterations. This study aims to verify the beneficial role of Açaì extract in a d-Galactose (d-Gal)-induced model of aging in human RBCs. To this end, band 3 phosphorylation and structural rearrangements in membrane cytoskeleton-associated proteins, namely spectrin, ankyrin, and/or protein 4.1, are analyzed in RBCs treated with 100 mM d-Gal for 24 h, with or without pre-incubation with 10 μg/mL Açaì extract for 1 h. Furthermore, RBC deformability is also measured. Tyrosine phosphorylation of band 3, membrane cytoskeleton-associated proteins, and RBC deformability (elongation index) are analyzed using western blotting analysis, FACScan flow cytometry, and ektacytometry, respectively. The present data show that: (i) Açaì berry extract restores the increase in band 3 tyrosine phosphorylation and Syk kinase levels after exposure to 100 mM d-Gal treatment; and (ii) Açaì berry extract partially restores alterations in the distribution of spectrin, ankyrin, and protein 4.1. Interestingly, the significant decrease in membrane RBC deformability associated with d-Gal treatment is alleviated by pre-treatment with Açaì extract. These findings further contribute to clarify mechanisms of natural aging in human RBCs, and propose flavonoid substances as potential natural antioxidants for the treatment and/or prevention of oxidative-stress-related disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Spinelli
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Straface
- Biomarkers Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Gambardella
- Biomarkers Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Caruso
- Complex Operational Unit of Clinical Pathology of Papardo Hospital, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Falliti
- Complex Operational Unit of Clinical Pathology of Papardo Hospital, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Remigante
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Marino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Rossana Morabito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
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Laurindo LF, Barbalho SM, Araújo AC, Guiguer EL, Mondal A, Bachtel G, Bishayee A. Açaí ( Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in Health and Disease: A Critical Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15040989. [PMID: 36839349 PMCID: PMC9965320 DOI: 10.3390/nu15040989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), a species belonging to the Arecaceae family, has been cultivated for thousands of years in tropical Central and South America as a multipurpose dietary plant. The recent introduction of açaí fruit and its nutritional and healing qualities to regions outside its origin has rapidly expanded global demand for açaí berry. The health-promoting and disease-preventing properties of this plant are attributed to numerous bioactive phenolic compounds present in the leaf, pulp, fruit, skin, and seeds. The purpose of this review is to present an up-to-date, comprehensive, and critical evaluation of the health benefits of açaí and its phytochemicals with a special focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that açaí possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and exerts cardioprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, renoprotective, antilipidemic, antidiabetic, and antineoplastic activities. Moreover, clinical trials have suggested that açaí can protect against metabolic stress induced by oxidation, inflammation, vascular abnormalities, and physical exertion. Due to its medicinal properties and the absence of undesirable effects, açaí shows a promising future in health promotion and disease prevention, in addition to a vast economic potential in the food and cosmetic industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Fornari Laurindo
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília, Marília 17519-030, SP, Brazil
| | - Sandra Maria Barbalho
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, University of Marília, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, School of Food and Technology of Marília, Marília 17500-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano Cressoni Araújo
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, University of Marília, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Elen Landgraf Guiguer
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, University of Marília, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, School of Food and Technology of Marília, Marília 17500-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Arijit Mondal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, M.R. College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Balisha 743 234, India
| | - Gabrielle Bachtel
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
- Correspondence: or
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D’Amico R, Impellizzeri D, Cordaro M, Siracusa R, Interdonato L, Marino Y, Crupi R, Gugliandolo E, Macrì F, Di Paola D, Peritore AF, Fusco R, Cuzzocrea S, Di Paola R. Complex Interplay between Autophagy and Oxidative Stress in the Development of Endometriosis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11122484. [PMID: 36552692 PMCID: PMC9774576 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11122484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis (Endo) is a chronic gynecological disease. This paper aimed to evaluate the modulation of autophagy, oxidative stress and apoptosis with Açai Berries in a rat model of endometriosis. Endometriosis was induced with an intraperitoneal injection of minced uterus tissue from a donor rat into a recipient one. The abdominal high-frequency ultrasound (hfUS) analysis was performed at 7 and 14 days from the endometriosis induction to evaluate the growth of the lesion during the experiment. Seven days from the induction, once the lesions were implanted, an Açai Berry was administered daily by gavage for the next seven days. At the end of the experiment, the hfUS analysis showed a reduced lesion diameter in animals given the Açai Berry. A macroscopical and histological analysis confirmed this result. From the molecular point of view, Western blot analyses were conducted to evaluate the autophagy induction. Samples collected from the Endo group showed impaired autophagy, while the Açai Berry administration inhibited PI3K and AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and promoted autophagy by inactivating mTOR. Additionally, Açai Berry administration dephosphorylated ATG1, promoting the activity of the ATG1/ULK1 complex that recruited Ambra1/Beclin1 and Atg9 to promote autophagosome nucleation and LC3II expression. Açai Berry administration also restored mitophagy, which increased Parkin cytosolic expression. The Açai Berry increased the expression of NRF2 in the nucleus and the expression of its downstream antioxidant proteins as NQO-1 and HO-1, thereby restoring the oxidative imbalance. It also restored the impaired apoptotic pathway by reducing BCL-2 and increasing BAX expression. This result was also confirmed by the TUNEL assay. Overall, our results displayed that Açai Berry administration was able to modulate autophagy, oxidative stress and apoptosis during endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona D’Amico
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Cordaro
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Livia Interdonato
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Ylenia Marino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunzita, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Enrico Gugliandolo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunzita, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Macrì
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunzita, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Davide Di Paola
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Filippo Peritore
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, n 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunzita, 98168 Messina, Italy
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