The ethanolic extract of Juglans sinensis leaves and twigs attenuates CCl4-induced hepatic oxidative stress in rats

Ameliorative effect of montelukast against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity: Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome pathway

AIMS

Montelukast, a selective antagonist of type 1 cysteinyl-leukotriene receptors, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities. This study aimed to explore its hepatoprotective impact against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity compared to a standard hepatoprotective agent, silymarin.

MAIN METHODS

Twenty-four albino mice were used in this study, CCl₄ (1 mL/kg of 1:1 v/v CCl₄:olive oil) was singly injected in mice, and montelukast was administered in a dose of 10 mg/kg.

KEY FINDINGS

Results revealed that montelukast significantly improved CCl₄-induced alterations in both structure and function of the liver, verified respectively through histopathology and by the reduced levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT upon comparison with CCl₄. Also, montelukast prevented the induction of oxidative stress via decreasing hepatic MDA content and enhancing GSH levels. Moreover, montelukast produced a profound decrease in the levels of hepatic NLRP3 and its adaptor protein, ASC, and a reduction in the pro-inflammatory markers, NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. In addition, montelukast markedly reduced liver fibrosis, as illustrated by Masson Trichrome, and the decreased hepatic levels of TGF-β and α-SMA. Furthermore, montelukast efficiently decreased apoptosis as manifested by the decreased hepatic level of Caspase 3.

SIGNIFICANCE

Montelukast protected against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity via exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-apoptotic effects.

Protective effect of lyophilized sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) fruit extract against CCl4-induced liver damage in rats

The tropical fruit sapodilla (Manilkara zapota syn. Achras zapota) is a rich source of nutrients, minerals and a myriad of bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids and catechins. Pharmacologically, sapodilla has been shown to exhibit anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, antiglycative, hypocholesterolemic and anti-cancer effects. However, its influence on hepatic tissue and serum lipids remains obscure. To address this, we used an in vivo model of liver damage to elucidate the effect of lyophilized sapodilla extract (LSE) treatment in carbon tetra chloride (CCl₄) intoxicated rats. Exposure of CCl₄ resulted in elevation of serum biomarkers of liver damage (aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase), bilirubin and dysregulation of serum lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides). These effects were significantly and dose-dependently reversed by LSE treatment (250 and 500 mg/kg). Administration of LSE also reduced the structural damage caused by CCl₄ in the liver. Furthermore, determination of oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde and non-protein sulfhydryls) revealed that LSE treatment mitigated CCl₄-triggered modulation of both molecules. LSE also showed a strong antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. In conclusion, the present study discloses the hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering effects of lyophilized sapodilla extract against CCl₄-induced liver damage, an effect, at least in part, mediated by its antioxidant activity.

Hepatoprotective activity of raspberry ketone is mediated via inhibition of the NF-κB/TNF-α/caspase axis and mitochondrial apoptosis in chemically induced acute liver injury

Raspberry Ketone (RK) is a natural phenolic compound which is marketed nowadays as a popular weight-reducing remedy, with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its biological activity is not fully elucidated. Hepatotoxicity is the leading cause of acute liver failure in Europe and North America, and its management is still challenging. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the therapeutic detoxification activity of RK against liver injury in vivo and to explore the underlying mechanisms using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity as a model. First, a dose-response study using 4 different doses, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg-1 day-1, of RK was conducted. RK was administered for 5 days as a pretreatment, followed by a single dose of CCl4 (1 ml kg-1, 1 : 1 v/v CCl4 : olive oil). The RK dose of 200 mg kg-1 showed the greatest protective effect and was selected for further investigations. CCl4 hepatotoxicity was confirmed by elevation of liver enzymes, and histopathological examination. CCl4-induced oxidative stress was evident from increased lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) along with depleted superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Increased oxidative stress was associated with increased cytochrome c expression with subsequent activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, in addition to DNA fragmentation reflecting apoptosis. CCl4 also induced the expression of inflammatory cytokines (NF-κB and TNF-α). Interestingly, RK hepatoprotective activity was evident from the reduction of liver enzymes, and maintenance of hepatocyte integrity and microstructures as evaluated by histopathological examination using H and E, and transmission electron microscopy. The antioxidant activity of RK was demonstrated by the increase of TAC, SOD, and GSH, with a concomitant decrease of the TBARS level. Moreover, RK pretreatment inhibited CCl4-induced upregulation of inflammatory mediators. RK antiapoptotic activity was indicated by the reduction of the expression of cytoplasmic cytochrome-C, a decrease of caspases, and inhibition of DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that RK is a promising hepatoprotective agent. The underlying mechanisms include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities. This is the first study reporting RK hepatoprotective activity in acute hepatic injury and approves its antiapoptotic effect in the liver.

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Leaf Extracts from Juglans sinensis, and its Phenolic Compositions

The beneficial properties of walnut depend on climate, genotype, and farming practices. We investigated the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Juglans sinensis Dode cultivars grown in South Korea. Antibacterial activities were assessed using the minimum inhibitory concentration method and antioxidant activities using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays. Ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of J. sinensis leaves showed the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus SG511, Klebsiella aerogenes 1522E, and/or Enterobacter cloacae P99. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were found to be highest in the ethyl acetate extract. The total flavonoid and polyphenolic contents in the extract were 219.27 mg/g quercetin equivalents and 245.11 mg/g of gallic acid equivalents, respectively. Phenolic acids (gallic and vanillic) and flavonoids (catechin, rutin, and juglone) were detected by high performance liquid chromatography. We conclude that J. sinensis cultivars provide accessible sources of natural antibacterials and antioxidants.

Therapeutic effects of Iranian herbal extracts against Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated parasite affecting about 276 million people annually worldwide. Tricomoniasis is associated with different complications in pregnant women and infants. 5'-nitroimidazole derivatives (metronidazole, ornidazole, and tinidazole) are FDA approved drugs recommended for trichomoniasis treatment. Treatment with metronidazole 5'-nitroimidazole derivatives is associated with many side effects, and drug resistance to metronidazole has been reported in some cases. Recently, many attempts have been made to evaluate the effects of plants on causative agents of vaginal infections. In our research, the national and international databases were searched and the effects of various herbal extracts on T. vaginalis in Iran were reviewed from 2006 to 2016. In articles investigated, some plants had favorable antitrichomonal effects and needed to be further investigated. All the plant extracts have only been evaluated in vitro. Surveys of different articles in this review show that the active ingredients present in different parts of plants, including aerial parts, leaves, flowers, stems, and root can be suitable sources for introducing and developing new antitrichomonal compounds.

Hepatoprotective effects of licochalcone B on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in mice

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of licochalcone B (LCB) in a mice model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hepatotoxicity was induced in mice by a single subcutaneous injection (SC) of CCl4. The LCB was administered orally once a day for seven days (PO) as pretreatment at three doses of 1, 5, and 25 mg/kg/day. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were analyzed by ELISA. The protein expression degrees of p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38) and nuclear factor-k-gene binding (NF-κB) were assayed by western blotting.

RESULTS

CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was manifested by an increase in the levels of ALT, AST, MDA, IL-6, CRP, and TNF-ɑ, and a decrease in the SOD level and GSH/GSSG ratio in the serum. The histopathological examination of the liver sections revealed necrosis and inflammatory reactions. Pretreatment with LCB decreased the levels of ALT, AST, MDA, GSSG, IL-6, CRP, TNF-ɑ, and the protein expression of p38 and NF-κB, increased the level of SOD and GSH, and normalized the hepatic histo-architecture.

CONCLUSION

LCB protected the liver from CCl4-induced injury. Protection may be due to inhibition of p38 and NFκB signaling, which subsequently reduced inflammation in the liver.

Cytotoxic Compounds from Juglans sinensis Dode Display Anti-Proliferative Activity by Inducing Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells

Phytochemical investigation of the bark of Juglans sinensis Dode (Juglandaceae) led to the isolation of two active compounds, 8-hydroxy-2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1) and 5-hydroxy-2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (2), together with 15 known compounds 3-17. All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compounds 1-17 were tested for their cytotoxicity against the A549 human lung cancer cell line; compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant cytotoxicity and additionally had potent cytotoxicity against six human cancer cell lines, MCF7 (breast cancer), SNU423 (liver cancer), SH-SY5Y (neuroblastoma), HeLa (cervical cancer), HCT116 (colorectal cancer), and A549 (lung cancer). In particular, breast, colon, and lung cancer cells were more sensitive to the treatment using compound 1. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 showed strong cytotoxic activity towards human breast cancer cells MCF7, HS578T, and T47D, but not towards MCF10A normal-like breast cells. They also inhibited the colony formation of MCF7, A549, and HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly increased in MCF7 cells upon the treatment with compounds 1 and 2. The mechanism of cell death caused by compounds 1 and 2 may be attributed to the upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl2. These findings suggest that compounds 1 and 2 may be regarded as potential therapeutic agents against cancer.