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Uzzan S, Rostevanov IS, Rubin E, Benguigui O, Marazka S, Kaplanski J, Agbaria R, Azab AN. Chronic Treatment with Nigella sativa Oil Exerts Antimanic Properties and Reduces Brain Inflammation in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1823. [PMID: 38339101 PMCID: PMC10855852 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031823] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Nigella sativa (NS) is a native herb consumed habitually in several countries worldwide, possessing manifold therapeutic properties. Among them, anti-inflammatory features have been reported, presumably relating to mechanisms involved in the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway, among others. Given the observed association between neuroimmune factors and mental illness, the primary aim of the present study was to examine the effects of chronic NS use on manic-like behavior in rats, as well as analyze levels of brain inflammatory mediators following NS intake. Using male and female rats, baseline tests were performed; thereafter, rats were fed either regular food (control) or NS-containing food (treatment) for four weeks. Following intervention, behavioral tests were induced (an open field test, sucrose consumption test, three-chamber sociality test, and amphetamine-induced hyperactivity test). Subsequently, brain samples were extracted, and inflammatory mediators were evaluated, including interleukin-6, leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nuclear phosphorylated-p65. Our findings show NS to result in a marked antimanic-like effect, in tandem with a positive modulation of select inflammatory mediators among male and female rats. The findings reinforce the proposed therapeutic advantages relating to NS ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarit Uzzan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel (R.A.)
| | - Ira-Sivan Rostevanov
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel (R.A.)
| | - Elina Rubin
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel (R.A.)
| | - Olivia Benguigui
- Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H2W1S4, Canada
| | - Said Marazka
- Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Jacob Kaplanski
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel (R.A.)
| | - Riad Agbaria
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel (R.A.)
| | - Abed N. Azab
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel (R.A.)
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
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Bgatova N, Obanina N, Taskaeva I, Makarova V, Rakhmetova A, Shatskaya S, Khotskin N, Zavjalov E. Accumulation and neuroprotective effects of lithium on hepatocellular carcinoma mice model. Behav Brain Res 2024; 456:114679. [PMID: 37739227 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
AIM The peripheral tumor growth is accompanied by the accumulation of inflammatory mediators in the blood that can negatively influence blood-brain barrier function and neuronal structure and develop the cancer-associated depression. The aim of the study was to evaluate the neurobiological effects of lithium on hepatocellular carcinoma mice model. METHODS In this study we analyzed the locomotor activity of lithium-treated tumor-bearing mice using the Phenomaster instrument. Inductively coupled plasma mass-spectral analysis was used to determine lithium levels in blood, brain, liver, kidneys, tumors and muscle tissues. The prefrontal cortex neurons ultrastructure was assessed by transmission electron microscopy. Expression of BDNF, GRP78, EEA1, LAMP1, and LC3 beta in neurons was determined by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS A decrease in locomotor activity was found in animals with tumors. At the same time, the low expression levels of the neurotrophic factor BDNF and early endosomal marker EEA1 were revealed, as well as the decreased amount of synaptic vesicles and synapses was shown. Signs of endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy development in neurons of animals with tumors were noted. Lithium carbonate administration had a corrective effect on animal's behavior and the prefrontal cortex neurons structure. CONCLUSIONS In summary, lithium can restore the neuronal homeostasis in tumor-bearing mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Bgatova
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Natalia Obanina
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Iuliia Taskaeva
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Viktoriia Makarova
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | - Svetlana Shatskaya
- Institute of Solid State Chemistry and Mechanochemistry, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Nikita Khotskin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Evgenii Zavjalov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Acetylsalicylic Acid and Mood Disorders: A Systematic Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010067. [PMID: 36678565 PMCID: PMC9861965 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on mood disorders (MD) and on inflammatory parameters in preclinical and clinical studies have not yet been comprehensively evaluated. The aim of this study was to systematically summarize the available knowledge on this topic according to PRISMA guidelines. Data from preclinical and clinical studies were analyzed, considering the safety and efficacy of ASA in the treatment of MD and the correlation of inflammatory parameters with the effect of ASA treatment. Twenty-one studies were included. Both preclinical and clinical studies found evidence indicating the safety and efficacy of low-dose ASA in the treatment of all types of affective episodes in MD. Observational studies have indicated a reduced risk of all types of affective episodes in chronic low-dose ASA users (HR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.88, 0.95, p < 0.0001). An association between ASA response and inflammatory parameters was found in preclinical studies, but this was not confirmed in clinical trials. Further long-term clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of ASA in recurrent MD, as well as assessing the linkage of ASA treatment with inflammatory phenotype and cytokines, are required. There is also a need for preclinical studies to understand the exact mechanism of action of ASA in MD.
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Rostevanov IS, Betesh-Abay B, Nassar A, Rubin E, Uzzan S, Kaplanski J, Biton L, Azab AN. Montelukast induces beneficial behavioral outcomes and reduces inflammation in male and female rats. Front Immunol 2022; 13:981440. [PMID: 36148246 PMCID: PMC9487911 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.981440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulative data links inflammation and immune dysregulation to the pathophysiology of mental disorders; little is known regarding leukotrienes’ (LTs) involvement in this process. Circumstantial evidence suggests that treatment with leukotriene modifying agents (LTMAs) such as montelukast (MTK) may induce adverse neuropsychiatric events. Further methodic evaluation is warranted. Objective This study aims to examine behavioral effects, as well as inflammatory mediator levels of chronic MTK treatment in male and female rats. Methods Depression-like phenotypes were induced by exposing male and female rats to a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) protocol for four weeks. Thereafter, rats were treated (intraperitoneally) once daily, for two weeks, with either vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide 0.2 ml/rat) or 20 mg/kg MTK. Following treatment protocols, behavioral tests were conducted and brain regions were evaluated for inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and prostaglandin (PG) E2. Results Overall, MTK did not invoke negative behavioral phenotypes (except for an aggression-inducing effect in males). Numerous positive behavioral outcomes were observed, including reduction in aggressive behavior in females and reduced manic/hyperactive-like behavior and increased sucrose consumption (suggestive of antidepressant-like effect) in males. Furthermore, in control males, MTK increased IL-6 levels in the hypothalamus and TNF-α in the frontal cortex, while in control females it generated a robust anti-inflammatory effect. In females that were subjected to CUMS, MTK caused a prominent reduction in TNF-α and IL-6 in brain regions, whereas in CUMS-subjected males its effects were inconsistent. Conclusion Contrary to prior postulations, MTK may be associated with select beneficial behavioral outcomes. Additionally, MTK differentially affects male vs. female rats in respect to brain inflammatory mediators, plausibly explaining the dissimilar behavioral phenotypes of sexes under MTK treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira S. Rostevanov
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Batya Betesh-Abay
- Department of Nursing, School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ahmad Nassar
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Elina Rubin
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Sarit Uzzan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Jacob Kaplanski
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Linoy Biton
- Department of Nursing, School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Abed N. Azab
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Nursing, School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- *Correspondence: Abed N. Azab,
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Nassar A, Azab AN. Effects of Dexamethasone and Pentoxifylline on Mania-like and Depression-like Behaviors in Rats. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091063. [PMID: 36145284 PMCID: PMC9503945 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies support the notion that inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology and treatment approaches of psychiatric illnesses, particularly mood disorders. Congruently, classic anti-inflammatory drugs were found efficacious in randomized clinical trials of patients with mood disorders. Moreover, accumulating data indicate that psychotropic drugs exhibit some anti-inflammatory effects. This study was undertaken to examine the efficacy of dexamethasone (a potent corticosteroid) and pentoxifylline (a methylxanthine drug with proven anti-tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitory activity) in behavioral models in rats, which were treated intraperitoneally with either dexamethasone or pentoxifylline for two weeks and then subjected to a battery of behavioral tests. Treatment with pentoxifylline, but not dexamethasone, was associated with antidepressant-like and anti-manic-like effects. The beneficial behavioral effects of pentoxifylline were accompanied by a prominent reduction in pro-inflammatory mediator levels in the brain. For the first time, the current work proves the efficacy of pentoxifylline against both mania-like and depressive-like behaviors. These results suggest that pentoxifylline may be a promising therapeutic intervention for patients with mood disorders. Taking into account the excellent tolerability profile of pentoxifylline in humans, it is warranted to conduct randomized clinical trials to investigate its therapeutic efficacy in patients with psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Nassar
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Abed N. Azab
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
- Correspondence:
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Shvartsur R, Agam G, Uzzan S, Azab AN. Low-Dose Aspirin Augments the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Low-Dose Lithium in Lipopolysaccharide-Treated Rats. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050901. [PMID: 35631487 PMCID: PMC9143757 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that immune-system dysfunction and inflammation play a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of mood-disorders in general and of bipolar disorder in particular. The current study examined the effects of chronic low-dose aspirin and low-dose lithium (Li) treatment on plasma and brain interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats. Rats were fed regular or Li-containing food (0.1%) for six weeks. Low-dose aspirin (1 mg/kg) was administered alone or together with Li. On days 21 and 42 rats were injected with 1 mg/kg LPS or saline. Two h later body temperature was measured and rats were sacrificed. Blood samples, the frontal-cortex, hippocampus, and the hypothalamus were extracted. To assess the therapeutic potential of the combined treatment, rats were administered the same Li + aspirin protocol without LPS. We found that the chronic combined treatment attenuated LPS-induced hypothermia and significantly reduced plasma and brain cytokine level elevation, implicating the potential neuroinflammatory diminution purportedly present among the mentally ill. The combined treatment also significantly decreased immobility time and increased struggling time in the forced swim test, suggestive of an antidepressant-like effect. This preclinical evidence provides a potential approach for treating inflammation-related mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Shvartsur
- Department of Nursing, School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; (G.A.); (S.U.)
| | - Galila Agam
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; (G.A.); (S.U.)
| | - Sarit Uzzan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; (G.A.); (S.U.)
| | - Abed N. Azab
- Department of Nursing, School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; (G.A.); (S.U.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-86-479880; Fax: +972-86-477-683
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