Apigenin attenuated ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis in uninephrectomized hypertensive rats: A possible role of bikunin, BMP-2/4, and osteopontin

Bisacurone gel ameliorated burn wounds in experimental rats via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and angiogenic properties

PURPOSE

To investigate putative mechanism of wound healing for chitosan-based bisacurone gel against secondary burn wounds in rats.

METHODS

A second-degree burn wound with an open flame using mixed fuel (2 mL, 20 seconds) was induced in Sprague Dawley rats (male, 180-220 g, n = 15, each) followed by topical treatments with either vehicle control (white petroleum gel, 1%), silver sulfadiazine (1%) or bisacurone gel (2.5, 5, or 10%) for 20 days. Wound contraction rate and paw withdrawal threshold were monitored on various days. Oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide), pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), growth factors (transforming growth factor-β, vascular endothelial growth factor C using real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay) levels, and histology of wound skin were assessed at the end.

RESULTS

Bisacurone gel showed 98.72% drug release with a 420.90-442.70 cps viscosity. Bisacurone gel (5 and 10%) significantly (p < 0.05) improved wound contraction rate and paw withdrawal threshold. Bisacurone gel attenuated oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and water content. It also enhanced angiogenesis (hydroxyproline and growth factor) and granulation in wound tissue than vehicle control.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that bisacurone gel can be a potential candidate to treat burn wounds via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and angiogenic properties.

Spasmolytic and Uroprotective Effects of Apigenin by Downregulation of TGF-β and iNOS Pathways and Upregulation of Antioxidant Mechanisms: In Vitro and In Silico Analysis

Apigenin is a phytochemical obtained from Chamomilla recutita. Its role in interstitial cystitis is not yet known. The present study is aimed at understanding the uroprotective and spasmolytic effects of apigenin in cyclophosphamide-induced interstitial cystitis. The uroprotective role of apigenin was analyzed by qRT-PCR, macroscopic analysis, Evans blue dye leakage, histological evaluation, and molecular docking. The spasmolytic response was measured by adding cumulative concentrations of apigenin to isolated bladder tissue pre-contracted with KCl (80 mM) and carbachol (10^-9-10^-4) on non-incubated and pre-incubated tissues with atropine, 4DAMP, methoctramine, glibenclamide, barium chloride, nifedipine, indomethacin, and propranolol. Apigenin inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and TGF 1-β) and oxidant enzymes (iNOS) while increasing antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH) in CYP-treated groups compared to the control. Apigenin restored normal tissue of the bladder by decreasing pain, edema, and hemorrhage. Molecular docking further confirmed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of apigenin. Apigenin produced relaxation against carbachol-mediated contractions, probably via blockade of M₃ receptors, K_ATP channels, L-type calcium channels, and prostaglandin inhibition. While the blockade of M₂ receptors, K_IR channels, and β-adrenergic receptors did not contribute to an apigenin-induced spasmolytic effect, apigenin presented as a possible spasmolytic and uroprotective agent with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects by attenuating TGF-β/iNOS-related tissue damage and bladder muscle overactivity. Thus, it is a potential agent likely to be used in treatment of interstitial cystitis.

Protective effect of apigenin on ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis via attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters in adult male Wistar rats

AIMS

Apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is one of the subclasses of flavonoids and has various pharmacological effects. The present work was carried out to study the effect of apigenin on ethylene glycol-induced kidney damage in male Wistar rats.

MAIN METHODS

We evaluated the effects of apigenin orally administrated in normal and urolithiatic rats. Animals were assigned to nine groups in random: normal control; apigenin alone (0.005, 0.01, and 0.02 g/kg bw); urolithiatic control (0.75% ethylene glycol and 1.0% ammonium chloride in drinking water); apigenin (0.005, 0.01, and 0.02 g/kg bw) plus ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride; and cystone (0.75 g/kg bw) plus ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride. At the end of 28th day of treatment, animals were sacrificed for biochemical and histopathological assays.

KEY FINDINGS

Our results indicated that the apigenin treatment decreased the formation of urinary stones in urolithiatic rats. Also, apigenin reduced the generation of malondialdehyde and enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities in the kidney homogenate of rats. It also caused a significant decrease in the calcium oxalate crystals numbers in urinary sample of rats with ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluria. These findings were supported by histopathological examinations.

SIGNIFICANCE

Based on the results obtained, apigenin attenuate ethylene glycol-related kidney damage in male Wistar rats. Although the underlying mechanism of apigenin effect has not been determined, reduction of urinary levels of stone-producing constituents, antioxidant activities, and inhibition of TGF-β signaling may be involved.