Immunomodulatory effect of d-carvone in swiss albino mice with benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung cancer

An Effective and Promising Strategy for Plant Protection: Synthesis of L-Carvone-Based Thiazolinone-Hydrazone/Nanochitosan Complexes with Antifungal Activity and Sustained Releasing Performance

The development of novel natural product-derived nano-pesticide systems with loading capacity and sustained releasing performance of bioactive compounds is considered an effective and promising plant protection strategy. In this work, 25 L-carvone-based thiazolinone-hydrazone compounds 4a~4y were synthesized by the multi-step modification of L-carvone and structurally confirmed. Compound 4h was found to show favorable and broad-spectrum antifungal activity through the in vitro antifungal activity evaluation of compounds 4a~4y against eight phytopathogenic fungi. Thus, it could serve as a leading compound for new antifungal agents in agriculture. Moreover, the L-carvone-based nanochitosan carrier 7 bearing the 1,3,4-thiadiazole-amide group was rationally designed for the loading and sustained releasing applications of compound 4h, synthesized, and characterized. It was proven that carrier 7 had good thermal stability below 200 °C, dispersed well in the aqueous phase to form numerous nanoparticles with a size of~20 nm, and exhibited an unconsolidated and multi-aperture micro-structure. Finally, L-carvone-based thiazolinone-hydrazone/nanochitosan complexes were fabricated and investigated for their sustained releasing behaviors. Among them, complex 7/4h-2 with a well-distributed, compact, and columnar micro-structure displayed the highest encapsulation efficiency and desirable sustained releasing property for compound 4h and thus showed great potential as an antifungal nano-pesticide for further studies.

Selective elimination of younger erythrocytes in blood circulation and associated molecular changes in benzo (a) pyrene induced mouse model of lung cancer

Background

Anemia is a common feature in cancer patients. The present research was conducted to explore the mechanisms of induction of anemia in a mouse model of lung cancer.

Methods

The lung cancer was induced by treating orally with BaP (50 mg/kg body weight, twice a week for four weeks). The erythrocyte kinetics were studied using a double in vivo biotinylation (DIB) technique. ROS production and apoptosis analysis were done by staining with the CMH2DCFDA stain and anti-mouse Annexin V antibody, followed by flow cytometry. The expression of antioxidant, apoptotic, anti-apoptotic and inflammatory genes was analyzed by quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

Results

BaP-induced tumour reduced body weight and induced persistent haemolytic anaemia. The kinetics data suggest that, though reticulocyte production was enhanced, the proportion of young erythrocytes did not increase in the same proportion. The young aged erythrocytes were selectively eliminated from blood circulation, but intermediate and old aged erythrocytes persisted for a longer duration. The tumour progression leads to a significant increase in ROS production and apoptosis in the erythrocytes. The molecular data suggests that the expression levels of antioxidants (SOD1, catalase, and GPX1) and erythropoietin (Epo) were significantly increased. The anti-inflammatory genes Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were significantly decreased.Apoptotic genes Bax, and caspase 3 were significantly decreased while Bcl 2 was significantly increased in the blood of tumour-bearing mice.

Conclusions

The overall data suggest that erythrocyte turnover is severely modulated with the progression of tumor. The apoptosis, ROS levels, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and Epo gene expressions were increased, but proapoptotic and anti-inflammatory gene expression were suppressed.

D-Carvone Attenuates CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and TGF-ß 1/SMAD3 Signaling Pathway

D-carvone is a natural monoterpene found in abundance in the essential oil of aromatic medicinal plants with a wide range of pharmacological values. However, the impact of D-carvone on liver fibrosis remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-fibrotic potential of D-carvone in a rat model of liver fibrosis and to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms. Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride, CCl₄ (2.5 mL/kg, interperitoneally every 72 h for 8 weeks). Oral treatment of rats with D-carvone (50 mg/kg, daily) started on the 3rd week of CCl₄ administration. D-carvone significantly enhanced liver functions (ALT, AST), oxidant/antioxidant status (MDA, SOD, GSH, total antioxidant capacity; TAC), as well as histopathological changes. Moreover, D-carvone effectively attenuated the progression of liver fibrosis, evident by the decreased collagen deposition and fibrosis score by Masson trichrome staining (MT) and α-SMA protein expression. Moreover, D-carvone administration resulted in a significant downregulation of the pro-fibrogenic markers TGF-β1 and SMAD3 and upregulation of MMP9. These findings reveal the anti-fibrotic effect of D-carvone and suggest regulation of the TGF-β1/SMAD3 pathway, together with the antioxidant activity as a mechanistic cassette, underlines this effect. Therefore, D-carvone could be a viable candidate for inhibiting liver fibrosis and other oxidative stress-related hepatic diseases. Clinical studies to support our hypothesis are warranted.

Bioactive properties of the aromatic molecules of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) essential oil: a review

Spearmint belongs to the genus Mentha in the family Labiateae (Lamiaceae), which is wildly cultivated worldwide for its remarkable aroma and commercial value. The aromatic molecules of spearmint essential oil,...