Mechanisms Involved in Toxicity of Liver Caused by Piroxicam in Mice and Protective Effects of Leaf Extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L

Biomedical Applications of Thermosensitive Hydrogels for Controlled/Modulated Piroxicam Delivery

The objectives of this study are the synthesis of thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate), p(NiPAm-HPMet), hydrogels and the analysis of a drug-delivery system based on piroxicam, as a model drug, and synthesized hydrogels. A high pressure liquid chromatography method has been used in order to determine both qualitative and quantitative amounts of unreacted monomers and crosslinkers from polymerized hydrogels. Swelling kinetics and the order of a swelling process of the hydrogels have been analyzed at 10 and 40 °C. The copolymers' thermal properties have been monitored by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method. DSC termograms have shown that melting occurs in two temperature intervals (142.36-150.72 °C and 153.14-156.49 °C). A matrix system with incorporated piroxicam has been analyzed by using FTIR and SEM methods. Structural analysis has demonstrated that intermolecular non-covalent interactions have been built between side-groups of copolymer and loaded piroxicam. Morphology of p(NiPAm-HPMet) after drug incorporation indicates the piroxicam presence into the copolymer pores. Kinetic parameters of the piroxicam release from hydrogels at 37 °C and pH 7.4 indicate that the fluid transport mechanism corresponds to Fickian diffusion. As a result, formulation of thermosensitive p(NiPAm-HPMet) hydrogels with incorporated piroxicam could be of interest for further testing as a drug carrier for modulated and prolonged release, especially for topical administration.

Histological changes induced by Piroxicam on the hepatic and renal tissues of mice with and without administration of Peppermint oil

Piroxicam is a popular anti-inflammatory drug that displays palliative and antipyretic activity. Peppermint oil is a common flavoring used in foods and drinks. To investigate the defensive action of Peppermint oil against the hepatic and renal histological damage induced by Piroxicam in mice.

Forty healthy adult Swiss albino mice of both sexes were categorized into 4 groups (10 mice in each group): Control group (I); Treatment group (II) – injected with Piroxicam 0.3 mg/kg/rat/day via intraperitoneal route for 28 days; Treatment group (III) – oral Peppermint oil 0.2 ml/kg/day by oral gavage 24 hours preceding each injection of Piroxicam; Treatment group (IV) oral Peppermint oil alone. Blood samples were withdrawn to estimate the hepatic and renal functions. Immediately after death, specimens of liver and kidney from the four groups were isolated and put in 10% concentration buffered formalin for 24 hours then prepared for light microscopic examination.

There was a highly significant rise in the serum level of hepatic enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase and total serum bilirubin) in the group treated with Piroxicam, as compared to the control group. These returned to near normal level in the group treated with Piroxicam and Peppermint oil. Liver samples of the treated mice showed ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes, small apoptotic hepatocytes and inflammatory cellular infiltration, whereas kidney sections revealed cystic dilatation of Bowman’s space, shrinkage of glomerular tuft and apoptosis of epithelial cells lining the tubules. In contrast, the addition of peppermint oil efficiently ameliorated the hepatic and renal tissue changes.

Piroxicam induces hepatorenal toxicity as exhibited by histological, histochemical and biochemical findings. Peppermint oil shows ameliorative properties against the hepatorenal toxic effects induced by Piroxicam.

Effectiveness of new selenium-enriched mutated probiotics in reducing inflammatory effects of piroxicam medication in liver and kidney

Piroxicam is used to treat the pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but it has many side effects, such as hypertension, elevation of liver enzymes, and hepatitis. This study used selenium-enriched probiotics to reduce the side effects of piroxicam on the liver and kidney tissues and functions. Forty-eight male albino mice were randomly assigned to control, piroxicam (P), piroxicam plus selenium-enriched Lactobacillus plantarum PSe40/60/1 (P + SP), piroxicam plus selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium longum BSe50/20/1 (P + SB), selenium-enriched L. plantarum PSe40/60/1 (SP), and selenium-enriched B. longum BSe50/20/1 (SB) groups. In this study, the function of the liver and kidney was biochemically determined; the histopathology of the liver and kidney tissues was microscopically examined and the expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes in liver and kidney tissues was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Liver and kidney functions were significantly reduced in the piroxicam group compared with control. Liver and kidney tissues were damaged in the piroxicam group while they appeared more or less normal in the SB group. The expression of inflammatory genes was significantly up-regulated in the liver and kidney tissues of the piroxicam group compared to the control group. The expression of anti-inflammatory genes was significantly down-regulated in the liver and kidney of the piroxicam group and up-regulated in the liver and kidney of the SB group compared to the control group. Therefore, these mutated strains of probiotics were useful in reducing the side effects of the piroxicam drug on the liver and kidney.

Alloimperatorin from Ammi majus fruits mitigates Piroxicam-provoked gastric ulcer and hepatorenal toxicity in rats via suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis

Introduction: Fruits of Ammi majus, commonly called bishop's weed, contain a significant amount of furanocoumarins. Alloimperatorin (Allo, 6) was isolated from the free coumarin fraction of fruits, beside 8-hydroxypsoralen (1), methoxsalen (2), heraclin (3), isoimperatorin (4), imperatorin (5), isoheraclenin (7) and heraclenin hydrate (8). Piroxicam (Px) is a widely used pain-relieving drug that demonstrated side effects, including gastric ulceration and hepatorenal toxicity.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the protective potential of Alloimperatorin against Px-induced gastric ulceration and hepatorenal toxicity.Material & Methods: Rats were divided into four groups: Negative control, Px-induced rats, Allo + Px co-treated group, and Pc + Px co-treated group. Allo (25 mg/kg body weight) and Pc (25 mg/kg body weight) treatments were received 5 days before and 4 days after Px intoxication for 4 days (50 mg/kg body weight). Serum prostaglandin E2 (PG-E2) and liver and kidney functions were measured. Oxidative stress markers were evaluated in the three tissues. Histopathological features and caspase-3 immunoexpression were monitoredResults & Discussion: Px triggered gastric ulceration, increased indices of liver and kidney functions, decreased PG-E2 levels, provoked oxidative stress, and activated caspase-3 immunoexpression. Co-treatment with Allo demonstrated protective activities.Conclusion: Alloimperatorin exhibited anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities.

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation mitigates piroxicam-induced oxidative injury and apoptotic pathways in the stomach, liver, and kidney

Piroxicam (PM) is an oxicam-NSAID commonly recommended for various pain and associated inflammatory disorders. However, it is reported to have a gastric and hepato-renal toxic effect. Therefore, the current research was planned to investigate the possible mechanisms behind the mitigating action of the coenzyme (CoQ10), a natural, free radical scavenger, against PM tissue injury. Rats were assigned to five equal groups; Control, CoQ10 (10 mg/kg, orally), PM (7 mg/kg, i.p.), CoQ + PM L, and CoQ + PM H group. After 28 days, PM provoked severe gastric ulceration and marked liver and kidney damage indicated by an elevated gastric ulcer index and considerable alteration in liver and kidney biochemical tests. The toxic effects might be attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction and excess generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as indicated by enhanced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels along with decreased reduced-glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT) activity. Apoptotic cell death also was demonstrated by increased regulation of activated caspase-3 in the stomach, liver, and kidney tissues. Interestingly, external supplementation of CoQ10 attenuated the PM-inflicted deleterious oxidative harm and apoptosis. This ameliorative action was ascribed to the free radical scavenging activity of CoQ10.

Piroxicam

A comprehensive profile of piroxicam including the nomenclatures, formulae, elemental composition, appearance, uses and applications. The methods which were utilized for the preparation of the drug substance and their respective schemes are outlined. The physical characteristics of the drug including the ionization constant, solubility, x-ray powder diffraction pattern, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal behavior and spectroscopic studies are described. The methods which were used for the analysis of the drug substance in bulk drug and/or in pharmaceutical formulations including the compendial, spectrophotometric, electrochemical and the chromatographic methods are reported. The stability, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, drug evaluation, comparison, in addition to compiled reviews on the drug substance are involved. Finally, more than four hundred and fifty references are listed at the end of this profile.

Protective effect of the ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of Madhuca longifolia against diclofenac-induced toxicity in female Wistar albino rats

BACKGROUND

Diclofenac is commonly prescribed Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAIDs) as it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic properties. Long term usage and over-dosage of diclofenac is associated with adverse effects like drug-induced liver injury, gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. The therapeutic uses of medicinal plants have gained a prominent role in recent years. Madhuca longifolia is a tree found throughout India, which is known to have several pharmacological activities. The aim of our study is to investigate the potential effect of the ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of M. longifolia against diclofenac-induced toxicity.

METHODS

The rats used for the experiment were divided into seven groups. Group-1 was the normal control. Group-2 was administered with diclofenac (50 mg/kg b.w./day/ip) on the 4th and the 5th day. Group-3 was treated with diclofenac and ELEML (500 mg/kg b.w./day/po) on all 5 days. Group-4 was treated with diclofenac and MLEML (500 mg/kg b.w./day/po) on all 5 days. Standard drug silymarin (25 mg/kg b.w./day/po) was given to the rats of group-5 along with diclofenac. Group-6 and group-7 were treated with ethanolic leaf extract and methanolic leaf extract of M. longifolia respectively. After the study period, the rats were evaluated for parameters like liver and renal markers, antioxidants and histopathological changes.

RESULTS

This study has proved the beneficial effect of ethanolic and methanolic leaf extract of M. longifolia against diclofenac-induced toxicity wherein ethanolic leaf extract showed a better result than methanolic leaf extract.

CONCLUSION

Our study has concluded the beneficial effect of ethanolic and methonolic leaf extract of Madhuca longifolia against DFC-induced toxicity. This study proves that it has potential effect on hepato, renal and gastro toxicity in female Wistar albino rats. It can further be studied to understand its mechanism in treating toxicity.

Cadmium overload modulates piroxicam-regulated oxidative damage and apoptotic pathways

Cadmium (Cd) is a common environmental pollutant that threatens humans' and animals' health. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used drugs due to their wide therapeutic action; however, they have significant side effects. Since, under many circumstances, humans and animals may be co-exposed to Cd and NSAIDs, the current investigation was assigned to explore the intertwining relationship between Cd and NSAIDs. Four groups of male Wister rats were used: control group: rats received saline; Cd group: rats received cadmium (Cd, 2 mg/kg) orally; Px group: rats received a NSAID (piroxicam, Px, 7 mg/kg, i.p.); and Cd+Px group: rats received both Cd+Px. All treatments were given once a day for 28 consecutive days. Then, blood samples, stomach, liver, and kidney tissues were collected. The results indicated that Px provoked gastric ulcer indicated by high ulcer index, while Cd had no effect on the gastric mucosa. In addition, treatment with Cd or Px alone significantly induced liver and kidney injuries indicated by serum elevations of AST, ALT, ALP, ALB, total protein, creatinine, and urea along with histopathological alterations. Significant increases in malondialdehyde and reduction in GSH and CAT contents were reported along with up-regulated expression of Bax and Bcl-2 after Cd or Px exposure. However, when Cd and Px were given in a combination, Cd obviously potentiated the Px-inflicted cellular injury and death in the liver and kidney but not in the stomach when compared to their individual exposure. This study concluded that oxidative stress mechanisms were supposed to be the main modulator in promoting Cd and Px toxicities when given in combination.

Histological study of the protective role of ginger on piroxicam-induced liver toxicity in mice

BACKGROUND

Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug widely used in rheumatic diseases. It has analgesic and antipyretic activity, and is one of the drugs being introduced in clinical practice. Piroxicam-hepatotoxicity has been reported as one of its principal side effects. Several natural antioxidants were found to be effective against drug induced toxicity. Ginger is known by its antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective effects. The present study aimed at studying the protective effect of Ginger on Piroxicam-induced histopathological changes in livers of male mice.

METHODS

Forty adult mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group I served as the control group. Group II received Ginger orally in a dose of 200 mg/kg per day for four weeks. Group III received Piroxicam intraperitoneally in a dose of 0.3 mg/kg per day for four weeks. Group IV received (Piroxicam + Ginger). At the end of the experiment, liver functions were estimated and then the liver was removed, and sampled for histopathological, immunohistochemistry and biochemical studies.

RESULTS

Administration of ginger decreased elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and immunoexpression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax), induced by piroxicam. It increased immunoexpression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl2). It also ameliorated the morphological changes induced by piroxicam.

CONCLUSION

Piroxicam has toxic effects on the liver as indicated by biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical results. Ginger has protective effects against piroxicam-hepatotoxicity by reducing serum marker enzymes, liver fibrosis and apoptosis.