1
|
Karimi G, Fatemi S, Memar B, Khorrami MB, Amali A, Sadeghi M, Esmaeili SA, Riahi-Zanjani B. Melittin as a safe compound to BALB/c mice immune system; a tiered approach immunotoxicity screening. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:377. [PMID: 37880739 PMCID: PMC10598946 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04228-w] [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: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maintenance of immune system integrity is a vital requirement to protect human body against pathogens/cancers. Natural compounds have long been used due to their benefits for the immune system. One of which is bee venom that contains a peptide called melittin having antimicrobial and anticancer effects. Since a limited number of studies regarding the effects of melittin on the immune system have been carried out, we aimed to evaluate the effects of melittin on BALB/c mice immune system parameters. METHODS Female BALB /c mice were treated intraperitoneally (i.p) with 0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg doses of melittin for 14 days (5 doses per week). The negative control group received i.p normal saline whereas the positive controls received i.p 20 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CYP). Immunological parameters such as hematological parameters, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), hemagglutination titer (HA), spleen cellularity, splenocytes proliferation, as well as spleen and bone marrow histopathological assessment were evaluated. RESULTS Our findings showed that melittin has no gross pathological effect on the spleen and bone marrow. It was also demonstrated that melittin has no any significant effect on hematological parameters. Melittin did not cause any significant changes to proliferation response of splenocytes to PHA and LPS, spleen cellularity, DTH response, as well as the production of anti-SRBC antibodies. According to our results, melittin at 0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg doses could not induce significant changes on immune parameters and as a result, melittin was found to be safe for the mice immune system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gholamreza Karimi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sina Fatemi
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bahram Memar
- Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Arian Amali
- Student Research Committee, Paramedical Department, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmood Sadeghi
- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Seyed-Alireza Esmaeili
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bamdad Riahi-Zanjani
- Medical Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chae YJ, Heo H, Woo CW, Kim ST, Kwon JI, Choi MY, Sung YS, Kim KW, Kim JK, Choi Y, Woo DC. Preclinical Long-term Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Silymarin Liver-protective Effects. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2022; 10:1167-1175. [PMID: 36381105 PMCID: PMC9634766 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Efficacy evaluations with preclinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are uncommon, but MRI in the preclinical phase of drug development provides information that is useful for longitudinal monitoring. The study aim was to monitor the protective effectiveness of silymarin with multiparameter MRI and biomarkers in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced model of liver injury in rats. Correlation analysis was conducted to assess compare the monitoring of liver function by MRI and biomarkers. METHODS TAA was injected three times a week for 8 weeks to generate a disease model (TAA group). In the TAA and silymarin-treated (TAA-SY) groups, silymarin was administered three times weekly from week 4. MR images were acquired at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks in the control, TAA, and TAA-SY groups. RESULTS The area under the curve to maximum time (AUCtmax) and T2* values of the TAA group decreased over the study period, but the serological markers of liver abnormality increased significantly more than those in the control group. In the TAA-SY group, MRI and serological biomarkers indicated attenuation of liver function as in the TAA group. However, pattern changes were observed from week 6 to comparable levels in the control group with silymarin treatment. Negative correlations between either AUCtmax or T2* values and the serological biomarkers were observed. CONCLUSIONS Silymarin had hepatoprotective effects on TAA-induced liver injury and demonstrated the usefulness of multiparametric MRI to evaluate efficacy in preclinical studies of liver drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Ji Chae
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwon Heo
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Woong Woo
- Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Tae Kim
- Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Im Kwon
- Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Monica Young Choi
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Sub Sung
- Clinical Research Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Won Kim
- Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Kon Kim
- Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonseok Choi
- Medical Research Institute, Gangneung Asan Hospital, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence to: Dong Cheol Woo, Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8202-015X. Tel: +82-2-3010-4155, Fax: +82-10-5559-7102, E-mail: ; Yoonseok Choi, Medical Research Institute, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine 38, Bangdong-gil, Sacheon-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do 25440, Korea. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8478-2999. Tel: +82-33-610-4799, Fax: +82-33-610-3089, E-mail:
| | - Dong-Cheol Woo
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence to: Dong Cheol Woo, Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8202-015X. Tel: +82-2-3010-4155, Fax: +82-10-5559-7102, E-mail: ; Yoonseok Choi, Medical Research Institute, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine 38, Bangdong-gil, Sacheon-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do 25440, Korea. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8478-2999. Tel: +82-33-610-4799, Fax: +82-33-610-3089, E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zheng S, Zheng H, Zhang R, Piao X, Hu J, Zhu Y, Wang Y. Immunomodulatory Effect of Ginsenoside Rb2 Against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:927087. [PMID: 35814238 PMCID: PMC9263391 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.927087] [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: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ginsenoside Rb2 (Rb2), a fundamental saponin produced and isolated from ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), has a wide range of biological actions. The objective of this investigation was to see if ginsenoside Rb2 has any immunomodulatory properties against cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression. For the positive control group, levamisole hydrochloride (LD) was used. We discovered that intraperitoneal injection of Rb2 (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) could relieve CTX-induced immunosuppression by enhanced immune organ index, reduced the pathological characteristics of immunosuppression, promoted natural killer (NK) cells viability, improved cell-mediated immune response, boosted the IFN-γ (Interferon-gamma), TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-alpha), IL-2 (Interleukin-2), and IgG (Immunoglobulin G), as well as macrophage activity like carbon clearance and phagocytic index. Rb2 significantly elevated the mRNA expression of IL-4 (Interleukin-4), SYK (Tyrosine-protein kinase-SYK), IL-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 (Interleukin-6) in the spleen of CTX-injected animals. Molecular docking results showed that Rb2 had excellent binding properties with IL-4, SYK, IL-2, TNF, and IL-6, indicating the target protein might be strongly correlated with the immunomodulatory effect of Rb2. Taken together, ginsenoside Rb2 can improve the immune function that is declined in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice, the efficacy maybe due to the regulation of related cytokine and mRNA expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siwen Zheng
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development, Changchun, China
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Housheng Zheng
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development, Changchun, China
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development, Changchun, China
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiangmin Piao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development, Changchun, China
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Junnan Hu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanzhu Zhu
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
- Animal Science and Technology College, Jilin Agriculture Science and Technology University, Jilin, China
- *Correspondence: Yanzhu Zhu, ; Yingping Wang,
| | - Yingping Wang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development, Changchun, China
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Yanzhu Zhu, ; Yingping Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Effect of Silymarin as an Adjunct Therapy in Combination with Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin in Hepatitis C Patients: A Miniature Clinical Trial. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:9199190. [PMID: 35154575 PMCID: PMC8828344 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9199190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Silymarin is proclaimed to be a blend of flavonolignans or phytochemicals. An era of new generation of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has commenced to have facet effect in swaying of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Nonetheless, this therapy has serious side effects that jeopardize its efficacy. This study is aimed at probing the effects of ribavirin (RBV) and sofosbuvir (SOF) along with silymarin as an adjunct therapy on hematological parameters and markers of obscured oxidative stress. The effect of DAAs along with silymarin was also examined on variable sex hormone level and liver function markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin. The study was followed to determine viral load and viral genotypes. A total of 30 patients were randomly divided into two equal groups comprising the control group (n = 15) and treatment group (n = 15). The control group was solely administered with DAAs (SOF and RBV; 400 mg/800 mg each/day). Conversely, the treatment group was dispensed with DAAs, but with adjunct therapy of silymarin (400 mg/day) along with DAAs (400/800 mg/day) over period of 8 weeks. Sampling of blood was performed at pre- and posttreatment levels for the evaluation of different propound parameters. Our data showed that silymarin adjunct therapy enhances the efficiency of DAAs. A decrease in menace level of liver markers such as ALT, ALP, AST, and bilirubin was observed (p > 0.05). The adjunct therapy concurrently also demonstrated an ameliorative effect on hematological indices and oxidative markers, for instance, SOD, TAS, GSH, GSSG, and MDA (p < 0.05), diminishing latent viral load. The silymarin administration was also found to revamp the fluster level of sex hormones. Our outcomes provide evidence that systematic administration of silymarin effectively remits deviant levels of hematological, serological, hormonal, and antioxidant markers. This demonstrates a possibly unique role of silymarin in mitigating hepatitis C.
Collapse
|
5
|
Jahanian E, Mahdavi A, Jahanian R. Silymarin improved the growth performance via modulating the microbiota and mucosal immunity in Escherichia coli-challenged broiler chicks. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
6
|
Ceccherini E, Cecchettini A, Morales MA, Rocchiccioli S. The Potentiality of Herbal Remedies in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: From In Vitro to Clinical Studies. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:813. [PMID: 32587513 PMCID: PMC7298067 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a complex pathological condition, characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the biliary epithelium. Without proper clinical management, progressive bile ducts and liver damage lead to cirrhosis and, ultimately, to liver failure. The known limited role of current drugs for treating this cholangiopathy has driven researchers to assess alternative therapeutic options. Some herbal remedies and their phytochemicals have shown anti-fibrotic properties in different experimental models of hepatic diseases and, occasionally, in clinical trials in primary sclerosing cholangitis patients; however their mechanism of action is not completely understood. This review briefly examines relevant studies focusing on the potential anti-fibrotic properties of Silybum marianum, Curcuma longa, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and quercetin. Each natural product is individually reviewed and the possible mechanisms of action discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ceccherini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Cecchettini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Rocchiccioli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Babaskina LI, Litvinova TM, Babaskin DV, Kiselevsky MV, Savinova OV, Winter EA. Influence of Flavonoids on the Cytotoxic Activity of Mononuclear Blood Cells in Model Tests. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2019; 7:1900-1904. [PMID: 31406526 PMCID: PMC6684420 DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The spread of phytocomplex application and justification of its selective effects on tumour cells (mainly due to the presence of flavonoids) require research of its cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activity. AIM: The goal wa`s to study the direct cytotoxic effect of the phytocomplex and its modulating effect on the cytotoxic activity of the donor’s mononuclear blood cells in in vitro experiments. METHODS: The phytocomplex was a dry extract from marsh cinquefoil, creeping alfalfa and common hop; its main active ingredients were flavonoids. Transplantable monolayer cultures of lung adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, erythroblastic leukaemia, and fibroblasts were used as target cells. The cytotoxic activity was assessed using a cytotoxic test based on the selective ability to live cells to reduce MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethyltriazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) to formazan in mitochondria. Quantitative determination of formazan was performed using spectrophotometry. RESULTS: A direct cytotoxic effect of the phytocomplex in concentrations of at least 2.5 mg/ml on tumour cells has been established. Its modulating effect on the cytotoxic activity of mononuclear blood cells at a concentration of 0.05 mg/ml was shown. The phytocomplex in doses of 0.25 and 0.5 mg/ml increased the killer activity of the mononuclear cells in a diseased person’s blood, but did not affect these blood cells in a healthy donor. Incubation of lymphocytes with a phytocomplex for 24 hours increased the cytotoxic activity of mononuclear cells by 20-25%. CONCLUSION: The direct cytotoxic effect of the phytocomplex and its modulating effect on the cytotoxic activity of mononuclear blood cells in model experiments in vitro have been established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mikhail Valentinovich Kiselevsky
- N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 24 Kashirskoe Highway, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Soleimani V, Delghandi PS, Moallem SA, Karimi G. Safety and toxicity of silymarin, the major constituent of milk thistle extract: An updated review. Phytother Res 2019; 33:1627-1638. [PMID: 31069872 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family. Silymarin is the major constituent of milk thistle extract and is a mixture of some flavonolignans such as silybin, which is the most active component of silymarin. It is most commonly known for its hepatoprotective effect. Also, studies have shown other therapeutic effects such as anticancer, anti-Alzheimer, anti-Parkinson, and anti-diabetic, so its safety is very important. It has no major toxicity in animals. Silymarin was mutagen in Salmonella typhimurium strains in the presence of metabolic enzymes. Silybin, silydianin, and silychristin were not cytotoxic and genotoxic at concentration of 100 μM. Silymarin is safe in humans at therapeutic doses and is well tolerated even at a high dose of 700 mg three times a day for 24 weeks. Some gastrointestinal discomforts occurred like nausea and diarrhea. One clinical trial showed silymarin is safe in pregnancy, and there were no anomalies. Consequently, caution should be exercised during pregnancy, and more studies are needed especially in humans. Silymarin has low-drug interactions, and it does not have major effects on cytochromes P-450. Some studies demonstrated that the use of silymarin must be with caution when co-administered with narrow therapeutic window drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Soleimani
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Parisa Sadat Delghandi
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Adel Moallem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ahl Al Bayt, Karbala, Iraq
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University ofMedical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alzahraa University, Karbala, Iraq
| | - Gholamreza Karimi
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| |
Collapse
|