Effect of Crocus sativus L. stigma (saffron) against subacute effect of diazinon: histopathological, hematological, biochemical and genotoxicity evaluations in rats

Ameliorative Effect of Thymoquinone and Thymoquinone Nanoparticles against Diazinon-Induced Hepatic Injury in Rats: A Possible Protection Mechanism

The health benefits of thymoquinone (TQ) have been a significant focus of numerous studies. However, more research is needed to ascertain whether its nano-form can effectively treat or prevent chronic diseases. In this study, we investigated how thymoquinone and its nanoparticles can mitigate liver damage induced by diazinon in male Wistar rats and explored the intracellular mechanisms involved. Forty-two Wistar male rats (n = 42) were randomly allotted into seven groups. Group 1 served as the control. Group 2 (vehicle) consisted of rats that received corn oil via a gastric tube daily. In Group 3 (TQ), rats were given a daily oral administration of TQ (40 mg/kg bw). Group 4 (thymoquinone nanoparticles, NTQ) included rats that received NTQ (0.5 mg/kg bw) orally for 21 days. Group 5 (DZN) involved rats that were administered diazinon (DZN, 15 mg/kg bw) orally. In Group 6 (TQ + DZN), rats first received TQ orally, followed by DZN. Group 7 (NTQ + DZN) consisted of rats receiving NTQ orally, then DZN. After 21 days of treatment, the rats were euthanized. After oral administration of DZN, liver enzymes were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were noticeable increases in oxidative injury markers, such as nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, redox oxygen radicals, and overall increases in hydrogen peroxide and liver protein carbonyl concentrations. This was accompanied by the upregulation of apoptotic markers (Bax, caspase9, caspase 3, bax/Bcl2 ratio), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), and DNA damage. There was also a noteworthy decrease (p < 0.05) in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and anti-apoptotic markers. However, the oral administration of thymoquinone or its nanoparticle form mitigated these diazinon complications; our histopathological findings corroborated our biochemical and molecular observations. In conclusion, the significant antioxidant properties of thymoquinone, or its nanoparticle form, in tandem with the downregulation of apoptotic markers and inflammatory cytokines, provided a protective effect against hepatic dysfunction caused by diazinon.

Evaluating Silymarin Extract as a Potent Antioxidant Supplement in Diazinon-Exposed Rainbow Trout: Oxidative Stress and Biochemical Parameter Analysis

This study aimed to investigate the effects of diazinon on fish, focusing on hepatotoxic biomarkers and the potential protective effects of silymarin supplementation. One hundred eighty rainbow trout were randomly assigned to four groups: control, diazinon exposed (0.1 mg L-1), silymarin supplemented (400 mg kg-1), and diazinon + silymarin. Blood samples and liver tissue were collected after 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure to analyze biochemical parameters and oxidative biomarkers. Diazinon exposure in fish resulted in liver damage, as indicated by increased antioxidant enzyme activities in the hepatocytes. Silymarin showed the potential to mitigate this damage by reducing oxidative stress and restoring enzyme activities. Nevertheless, diazinon increased creatine phosphokinase activity, which may not be normalized by silymarin. Exposure to diazinon increased glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels, whereas total protein, albumin, and globulin levels were significantly decreased in fish. However, silymarin controlled and maintained these levels within the normal range. Diazinon increased creatinine, urea, uric acid, and ammonia contents. Silymarin could regulate creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels while having limited effectiveness on ammonia excretion. Furthermore, diazinon increased malondialdehyde in hepatocytes, whereas administration of silymarin could restore normal malondialdehyde levels. Overall, silymarin showed potential as a therapeutic treatment for mitigating oxidative damage induced by diazinon in fish, but its effectiveness on creatine phosphokinase, glutathione reductase, and ammonia may be limited.

The Pharmacological Activities of Crocus sativus L.: A Review Based on the Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities of its Phytoconstituents

Crocus species are mainly distributed in North Africa, Southern and Central Europe, and Western Asia, used in gardens and parks as ornamental plants, while Crocus sativus L. (saffron) is the only species that is cultivated for edible purpose. The use of saffron is very ancient; besides the use as a spice, saffron has long been known also for its medical and coloring qualities. Due to its distinctive flavor and color, it is used as a spice, which imparts food preservative activity owing to its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. This updated review discusses the biological properties of Crocus sativus L. and its phytoconstituents, their pharmacological activities, signaling pathways, and molecular targets, therefore highlighting it as a potential herbal medicine. Clinical studies regarding its pharmacologic potential in clinical therapeutics and toxicity studies were also reviewed. For this updated review, a search was performed in the PubMed, Science, and Google Scholar databases using keywords related to Crocus sativus L. and the biological properties of its phytoconstituents. From this search, only the relevant works were selected. The phytochemistry of the most important bioactive compounds in Crocus sativus L. such as crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal and also dozens of other compounds was studied and identified by various physicochemical methods. Isolated compounds and various extracts have proven their pharmacological efficacy at the molecular level and signaling pathways both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, toxicity studies and clinical trials were analyzed. The research results highlighted the various pharmacological potentials such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antidepressant, hypolipidemic, and antihyperglycemic properties and protector of retinal lesions. Due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, saffron has proven effective as a natural food preservative. Starting from the traditional uses for the treatment of several diseases, the bioactive compounds of Crocus sativus L. have proven their effectiveness in modern pharmacological research. However, pharmacological studies are needed in the future to identify new mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic studies, new pharmaceutical formulations for target transport, and possible interaction with allopathic drugs.

Toxicity Evaluation of the Subacute Diazinon in Aged Male Rats: Hematological Aspects

Background & Objective

Age-dependent Organophosphates (OPs) toxicity is a controversial topic. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the sub-acute exposure to diazinon (DZN), one of the main OPs insecticides, on the hematological alterations in adult and aged male rats.

Methods

For the aim of this approach, the adult and aged rats were administered with DZN (15 mg/kg, orally) for 4 weeks. Then, the blood samples were collected from the retro-orbital sinus for measuring red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), platelets (PLT), MCV (mean corpuscular volume), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCHC).

Results

The obtained results indicated that DZN significantly decreased RBCs (4.93 ± 0.41), Htc (28.12 ± 1.21), Hb (10.31 ± 0.36), MCHC (30.51 ± 2.04), MCV (62.86 ± 2.58), and PLT (265.6 ± 34.81) values in the adult and aged rats versus the age-matched control rats. Moreover, RBC, Hb, and Htc levels de-creased significantly in the aged rats versus adult rats. However, no significant differences were observed between MCHC, MCV, and PLT levels in adult and aged rats. Moreover, the MCH concentration did not change in any group. Additionally, DZN did not deteriorate the hematological alterations in the aged rats versus adult rats.

Conclusion

the present study showed that the toxicity of DZN is not associated with age. However, more studies should be conducted to confirm this finding.

Age-Related Diazinon Toxicity Impact on Blood Glucose, Lipid Profile and Selected Biochemical Indices in Male Rats

Background:

Diabetes and its complications are age-related diseases. Low-grade inflammation plays the main role in the aging processes. Diazinon (DZN), an organophosphate pesticide, has been found to induce metabolic disturbances.

Objective:

The present study was designed to investigate the impact of DZN on age-related changes on inflammatory cells, blood glucose concentration, lipid profile, and liver and kidney function indices in adult and aged rats.

Methods:

Male rats (2 and 16 month old) were orally administrated with DZN (15  mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Then the blood was obtained for measuring inflammatory cells, lipid profile, glucose and serum biochemical indices such as liver enzymes, albumin, total protein, creatinine (Cr), urea, and uric acid in the serum of adult and aged male rats.

Results:

DZN increased the blood levels of glucose and the percentage of lymphocytes and also serum levels of TChol, TG, LDL-c, AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, Cr, urea, and uric acid in the adult and aged rats versus the aged matched control rats (p< 0.001). A marked reduction in HDL-c levels, total protein, albumin, and in the percentage of neutrophils were seen in the adult and aged animals exposed to DZN versus the aged matched control rats. DZN also increased the levels of LDL-c and ALT in the aged rats versus adult animals.

Conclusion:

The present study indicated that DZN can cause metabolic disturbance. However, the age-dependent effects of DZN on metabolic indices were not be confirmed by the present data.

Diligent profiling of preclinical safety of the silk protein sericin

BACKGROUND

Sericin is a widely used protein in the pharmaceutical industry derived from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and used for the treatment of various diseases and pathological conditions. It is the main ingredient of the Unani preparation khameera abresham. The study was conducted to evaluate the preclinical toxicity of the silk protein sericin in mice.

METHODS

In the acute toxicity study, sericin was administered once orally to different groups of animals at doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg. Animals were observed for 14 days. In the sub-acute toxicity study, sericin was administered in mice for 4 weeks in the toxic group at doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg, while in the recovery group it was administered for 4 weeks at doses of 500 and 2000 mg/kg followed by 2 weeks of distilled water administration.

RESULTS

In the acute toxicity study, the observed parameters showed no significant difference, and no mortality was reported. In the sub-acute toxicity study, there were no toxicological effects in any of the estimated parameters, while histopathological analysis showed inflammation in vital organs at the dose of 2000 mg/kg.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of our acute toxicity study suggest that sericin is safe at all administered doses, while the sub-acute study suggests that the NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) of sericin is below 2000 mg/kg, at which it can be considered safe.