Effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on amiodarone-induced pneumotoxicity in rats

Experimental and Clinical Studies on the Effects of Natural Products on Noxious Agents-Induced Lung Disorders, a Review

The harmful effects of various noxious agents (NA) are well-known and there are reports regarding the induction of various lung disorders due to exposure to these agents both in animal and human studies. In addition, various studies have shown the effects of natural products (NP) on NA-induced lung disorders. The effects of various NP, including medicinal plants and their derivatives, on lung injury induced by NA, were reviewed in this study. The improving effects of various NP including medicinal plants, such as Aloe vera, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Avena sativa, Crocus sativus, Curcuma longa, Dioscorea batatas, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Gentiana veitchiorum, Gentiopicroside, Houttuynia cordata, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hochu-ekki-to, Hippophae rhamnoides, Juglans regia, Melanocarpa fruit juice, Mikania glomerata, Mikania laevigata, Moringa oleifera, Myrtus communis L., Lamiaceae, Myrtle, Mosla scabra leaves, Nectandra leucantha, Nigella sativa, Origanum vulgare L, Pulicaria petiolaris, Paulownia tomentosa, Pomegranate seed oil, Raphanus sativus L. var niger, Rosa canina, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Thymus vulgaris, Taraxacum mongolicum, Tribulus Terrestris, Telfairia occidentalis, Taraxacum officinale, TADIOS, Xuebijing, Viola yedoensis, Zataria multiflora, Zingiber officinale, Yin-Chiao-San, and their derivatives, on lung injury induced by NA were shown by their effects on lung inflammatory cells and mediators, oxidative stress markers, immune responses, and pathological changes in the experimental studies. Some clinical studies also showed the therapeutic effects of NP on respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests (PFT), and inflammatory markers. Therefore, the results of this study showed the possible therapeutic effects of various NP on NA-induced lung disorders by the amelioration of various features of lung injury. However, further clinical studies are needed to support the therapeutic effects of NP on NA-induced lung disorders for clinical practice purposes.

The inhibitory mechanisms of losartan and vitamin D on amiodarone-induced lung inflammation in rats: Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases/activator protein-1

Amiodarone (AMD), an antiarrhythmic drug, is used cautiously due to its lung toxicity that is characterized by alveolar inflammation followed by fatal fibrosis. AMD induces lung inflammation via increasing the alveolar macrophages and disturbing the balance of T-helper-1 (Th1) and Th2 cells cytokines. In this study, the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathway in AMD-induced lung inflammation was evaluated. Also, the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of losartan and/or vitamin D were investigated following 7, 14, and 28 days of AMD administration. AMD resulted in lung injury, inflammatory infiltration, and increased pulmonary levels of inflammatory cytokines starting from Week 1 of exposure. A significant increase in serum levels of interleukin-4 along with a significant reduction of interferon-gamma, in addition to strong expression of CD68, were reported after 14 and 28 days of AMD administration reflecting Th1/Th2 cytokines imbalance and the accumulation of alveolar macrophages, respectively. The phosphorylation of MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK, p38) and AP-1 was significantly enhanced starting from Week 1 of exposure. Marked expression of transforming growth factor beta-1 and massive deposition of collagen were detected after 28 days reflecting late fibrosis. All these abnormalities were significantly mitigated by vitamin D and its combination with losartan. Losartan alone has less prominent anti-inflammatory effects particularly after 28 days; however, it efficiently prevented late fibrosis. This study concludes that MAPKs/AP-1 pathway is involved in AMD-induced lung inflammation and that vitamin D and/or losartan could be used as a prophylactic agent to prevent AMD-induced lung toxicity.

Aronia melanocarpa Fruit Bioactive Fraction Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

To demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of Aronia melanocarpa fruit extract, human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the effects of aronia bioactive fraction (ABF^®), anthocyanin enriched extract from the fruit of A. melanocarpa, were evaluated. Following pretreatment with ABF^® at 10–25 µg /mL, BEAS-2B cells were exposed to LPS and the expression of inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted [RANTES], IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2], and inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS]) was analyzed. In LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B cells, ABF^® pretreatment significantly decreased the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, RANTES, IL-1β, and COX-2 at doses of 10 and 25 µg/mL. ABF^® also attenuated the secretion of TNF- α, IL-6, IL-8, and RANTES protein, as demonstrated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot analyses revealed the decreased expression of COX-2 and iNOS following ABF^® treatment. ROS production was decreased, and the cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 and S phases following ABF^® pretreatment. Our results suggest that ABF^® may have potential as a nutraceutical agent for the suppression of airway inflammation.

The Effect of Plant Additives on the Stability of Polyphenols in Cloudy and Clarified Juices from Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a fruit with increasing popularity in consumption and processing. Recent research has strengthened the position of chokeberry as a source of phenolic compounds, antioxidants with high pro-health values, therefore it is important to investigate other substances protecting biologically active compounds during juice processing. This study was an attempt to reduce the loss of polyphenol in cloudy and clarified chokeberry juice by adding aqueous cinnamon and clove extracts. The results showed that the clarification of juices did not cause significant changes in the concentration of polyphenols. However, the addition of plant extracts prior to pasteurisation process influenced the content of phenolic compounds in the chokeberry juices. The main change in the composition of the chokeberry juices observed during storage was a result of the degradation process of anthocyanins. The research showed that, despite the common view about the beneficial effects of polyphenols and other compounds exhibiting mutual antioxidative potential, it is very difficult to inhibit the degradation process.

Oral exposure to cadmium and mercury alone and in combination causes damage to the lung tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats

Environmental presence and human exposure to heavy metals in air and cigarette smoke has led to a worldwide increase in respiratory disease. The effects of oral exposure to heavy metals in liver and kidney structure and function have been widely investigated and the respiratory system as a target is often overlooked. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible structural changes in the lung tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats after oral exposure for 28 days to cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), alone and in combination at 1000 times the World Health Organization's limit for each metal in drinking water. Following exposure, the general morphology of the bronchiole and lungs as well as collagen and elastin distribution was evaluated using histological techniques and transmission electron microscopy. In the lungs, structural changes to the alveoli included collapsed alveolar spaces, presence of inflammatory cells and thickening of the alveolar walls. In addition, exposure to Cd and Hg caused degeneration of the alveolar structures resulting in confluent alveoli. Changes in bronchiole morphology included an increase in smooth muscle mass with luminal epithelium degeneration, detachment and aggregation. Prominent bronchiole-associated lymphoid tissue was present in the group exposed to Cd and Hg. Ultrastructural examination confirmed the presence of fibrosis where in the Cd exposed group, collagen fibrils arrangement was dense, while in the Hg exposed group, additional prominent elastin was present. This study identified the lungs as target of heavy metals toxicity following oral exposure resulting in cellular damage, inflammation and fibrosis and increased risk of respiratory disease where Hg showed the greatest fibrotic effect, which was further, aggravated in combination with Cd.

Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice ameliorates the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease in TNBS-induced colitis in rats

Trinitrobenzensulfonic acid (TNBS) is commonly used to induce an experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been proposed as mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of IBD. Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) is extremely rich in polyphenolic substances, mainly proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and phenolic acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AMFJ in a rat TNBSinduced colitis model and to compare the effect of the juice with that of sulfasalazine. Colitis was induced by TNBS in male Wistar rats. After the induction of colitis, AMFJ at three doses (2.5, 5 and 10 mL/kg) and sulfasalazine (400 mg/kg) were administered orally till the 14th experimental day. Severity of colitis was assessed by macroscopic and histopathological criteria. Oxidative stress was evaluated by the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). TNBS caused severe colonic damage. AMFJ dose-dependently ameliorated TNBS-induced colitis. It improved the macroscopic and microscopic signs of colitis, and prevented the increase of colonic TBARS concentrations. Regarding different indices, the effect of AMFJ was comparable or even higher than that of sulfasalazine. In conclusion, the ameliorative effects of AMFJ in the experimental TNBSinduced colitis might be the result of its potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.

The role of mast cells and macrophages in amiodarone induced pulmonary fibrosis and the possible attenuating role of atorvastatin

Amiodarone (AM) is an effective anti-arrhythmic drug. We investigated the role of mast cells and macrophages on AM induced pulmonary fibrosis and the action of atorvastatin on this fibrosis. Rats were allocated into four groups; negative control (1), positive control (2), 30 mg/kg body weight/day AM (3) and AM + 10 mg/kg/day atorvastatin (4). Lungs were harvested and prepared for histology and immunohistochemistry. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of group 3 exhibited disorganized lung architecture. We found cellular debris in the lumen of both intrapulmonary bronchi and bronchioles with partial disruption of the thickened epithelial lining and mononuclear cellular infiltration into the lamina propria. We also observed thickening of the epithelial lining and the smooth muscle layer. Congested, dilated and thickened blood capillaries and thickened inter-alveolar septa were observed with mononuclear cellular infiltrates in the lung of group 3. Most alveoli were collapsed, but some dilated ones were detected. In some alveoli, type ІІ pneumocytes were increased, while type I cells were decreased. We observed significant increases in the amount of collagen in the thickened inter-alveolar septa, around bronchioles and around blood capillaries in sections from group 3. We found a significant increase in mast cells and alveolar macrophages in group 3 compared to group 1. Mast cells and macrophages appear to play important roles in AM induced pulmonary fibrosis. Atorvastatin appears to attenuate this condition.

Therapeutic Effect of Adipose Derived Stem Cells versus Atorvastatin on Amiodarone Induced Lung Injury in Male Rat

Background and Objectives

Amiodarone (AM), a class 3 antiarrhythmic drug, has been associated with variety of adverse effects, the most serious of which is pulmonary toxicity. Ator (A) is a statin, known for their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. Recent studies provide evidence of potential therapeutic effect of statins on lung injury. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) have shown great promise in the repair of various tissues. The present study aimed at investigating and comparing the possible therapeutic effect of A and ADSCs on AM induced lung injury in albino rats.

Methods and Results

34 adult male albino rats were divided into 5 groups: control group (Gp I), A group (Gp II) received 10 mg/kg of A orally 6 days (d)/week (w) for 4 weeks (ws), AM group (Gp III) received 30 mg/kg of AM orally 6 d/w for 4 ws, AM&A group (Gp IV) received AM for 4ws then A for other 4 ws and AM&SCs group (Gp V) received AM for 4 ws then injected with 0.5 ml ADSCs on 2 successive days intravenously (IV). Histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and morphometric studies were performed. Group III displayed bronchiolitis obliterans, thickened interalveolar septa (IAS) and thickened vascular wall which were proven morphometrically. Increased area% of collagen fibers and apoptotic changes were recorded. All findings regressed on A administration and ADSCs therapy.

Conclusion

Ator proved a definite ameliorating effect on the degenerative, inflammatory, apoptotic and fibrotic changes induced by AM. ADSCs administration denoted more remarkable therapeutic effect compared to A.