Nephroprotective effect of methanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaves on acute kidney injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Reversal of Valproate-Induced Major Salivary Gland Changes By Moringa Oleifera Extract in Rats

This study aimed to explore the potential protective impacts of Moringa oleifera extract on major alteration in salivary glands of rats exposed to sodium valproate (VA). Groups were defined as control, control+moringa extract, sodium valproate, and sodium valproate+moringa extract. Antioxidant and oxidant status, activities of digestive and metabolic enzymes were examined. VA treatment led to various biochemical changes in the salivary glands, including decreased levels of antioxidants like glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase (except for sublingual superoxide dismutase). Conversely, a decrease in alpha-amylase, alkaline and acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, protease, and maltase activities were observed. The study also demonstrated that VA induces oxidative stress, increases lipid peroxidation, sialic acid, and nitric oxide levels in the salivary glands. Total oxidant capacity was raised in all glands except in the sublingual gland. The electrophoretic patterns of proteins were similar. Moringa oleifera extract exhibited protective properties, reversing these VA-induced biochemical changes due to its antioxidant and therapeutic attributes. This research suggests that moringa extract might serve as an alternative treatment approach for individuals using VA and experiencing salivary gland issues, although further research is necessary to confirm these findings in human subjects.

Moringa oleifera: a valuable insight into recent advances in medicinal uses and pharmacological activities

Moringa oleifera is an important medicinal plant in several countries; for example, Nigeria, the USA, Turkey, Germany, Greece, and Ukraine. The abundant bioactive and nutritional properties of this plant make it useful in many and diverse areas of life, including the health, cosmetic, agricultural, and food industries to mention but a few. Research has found that the presence of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, fatty acids, saponins, essential oils, folate, aromatic hydrocarbons, sterols, glucosinolates, and glycosides, among others, characterize the moringa nutrient profile and, as a result, give rise to its remedial effects on ailments such as wounds, stomach and duodenal ulcers, allergies, obesity, diabetes, inflammation, asthma, and so on. It is the aim of this review to provide an insight into such medicinal and pharmacological remedies attributed to moringa, stating both the past and recent discoveries. This review article also takes a look into the botanical features, bioactive compounds, antinutrients, food applications, bacterial fermentation products, biosafety, industrial applications, and other uses of moringa. Finally, with the belief that knowledge is progressive, we acknowledge that there are things yet undiscovered about this wonder plant that will be of value both to medicine and general life; we therefore recommend that research work continues on the moringa plant. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Suppression of Inflamm-Aging by Moringa oleifera and Zingiber officinale Roscoe in the Prevention of Degenerative Diseases: A Review of Current Evidence

Inflammation or inflamm-aging is a chronic low-grade inflammation that contributes to numerous types of degenerative diseases among the elderly and might be impeded by introducing an anti-inflammatory agent like Moringa oleifera Lam (moringa) and Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger). Therefore, this paper aims to review the role of moringa and ginger in suppressing inflamm-aging to prevent degenerative diseases. Various peer-reviewed publications were searched and downloaded using the reputed search engine "Pubmed" and "Google Scholar". These materials were reviewed and tabulated. A comparison between these previous findings was made based on the mechanism of action of moringa and ginger against degenerative diseases, focusing on their anti-inflammatory properties. Many studies have reported the efficacy of moringa and ginger in type 2 diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and kidney disease by reducing inflammatory cytokines activities, mainly of TNF-α and IL-6. They also enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. The anti-inflammatory activities can be seen by inhibiting NF-κβ activity. Thus, the anti-inflammatory potential of moringa and ginger in various types of degenerative diseases due to inflamm-aging has been shown in many recent types of research.

L-arginine and lisinopril supplementation protects against sodium fluoride-induced nephrotoxicity and hypertension by suppressing mineralocorticoid receptor and angiotensin-converting enzyme 3 activity

Sodium fluoride (NaF) is one of the neglected environmental toxicants that has continued to silently cause toxicity to both humans and animals. NaF is universally present in water, soil, and atmosphere. The persistent and alarming rate of increase in cardiovascular and renal diseases caused by chemicals such as NaF in mammalian tissues has led to the use of various drugs for the treatment of these diseases. The present study aimed at evaluating the renoprotective and antihypertensive effects of L-arginine against NaF-induced nephrotoxicity. Thirty male Wistar rats (150-180 g) were used in this study. The rats were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each as follows: Control, NaF (300 ppm), NaF + L-arginine (100 mg/kg), NaF + L-arginine (200 mg/kg), and NaF + lisinopril (10 mg/kg). Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry of renal angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MCR) were performed. Markers of renal damage, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense system, and blood pressure parameters were determined. L-arginine and lisinopril significantly (P < 0.05) ameliorated the hypertensive effects of NaF. The systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure of the treated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with the hypertensive group. This finding was concurrent with significantly increased serum bioavailability of nitric oxide in the hypertensive rats treated with L-arginine and lisinopril. Also, there was a significant reduction in the level of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine of hypertensive rats treated with L-arginine and lisinopril. There was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in markers of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl and concurrent increase in the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the kidney of hypertensive rats treated with L-arginine and lisinopril. The results of this study suggest that L-arginine and lisinopril normalized blood pressure, reduced oxidative stress, and the expression of renal ACE and mineralocorticoid receptor, and improved nitric oxide production. Thus, L-arginine holds promise as a potential therapy against hypertension and renal damage.

Multi-Mechanistic and Therapeutic Exploration of Nephroprotective Effect of Traditional Ayurvedic Polyherbal Formulation Using In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches

Based on traditional therapeutic claims, NEERI KFT (a traditional Ayurvedic polyherbal preparation) has been innovatively developed in recent time on the decades of experience for treating kidney dysfunction. Due to the lack of scientific evidence, the present investigations are needed to support the rationale use of NEERI KFT. Considering the facts, the study investigated the nephroprotective effect of NEERI KFT against kidney dysfunction using in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches. In this study, phytochemical and network pharmacology studies were performed for the developed formulation to evaluate the molecular mechanism of NEERI KFT in the amelioration of kidney disease. In vitro nephroprotective and antioxidant effect of NEERI KFT was determined on HEK 293 cells against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. In vivo nephroprotective effect of NEERI KFT was determined against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats, via assessing biochemical markers, antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, CASP-3, etc. The results showed that the compounds such as gallic acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid are the major constituents of NEERI KFT, while network pharmacology analysis indicated a strong interaction between polyphenols and several genes (CASPs, ILs, AGTR1, AKT, ACE2, SOD1, etc.) involved in the pathophysiology of kidney disease. In vivo studies showed a significant (p < 0.05) ameliorative effect on biochemical markers and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, etc.), and regulates inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, CASP-3) expression in kidney tissue. Hence, it can be concluded that NEERI KFT subsequently alleviates renal dysfunction mediated by cisplatin via attenuating oxidative and inflammatory stress, thus preserving the normalcy of kidney function.

Rivastigmine ameliorates gentamicin experimentally induced acute renal toxicity

The current experiment aimed to identify the possible protective role of rivastigmine (RIVA) in gentamicin (GNT)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. RIVA was administered in the presence and absence of GNT. Kidney function markers and serum and renal GNT concentrations were measured. Renal oxidative stress parameters as well as inflammatory and apoptotic biomarkers were evaluated. Renal histopathological assessment and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) immunohistochemical study were performed. GNT administration increased serum creatinine, urea, and cystatin C concentrations. RIVA ameliorated these changes via mitigating GNT-induced increases of renal oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic parameters. RIVA showed a prompt improvement in the histopathological renal damage and a decrease in NF-κB immunoexpression. In conclusion, RIVA protective effects against GNT-induced AKI are mediated by decreasing GNT concentration in renal tissue and other effects like antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects possibly through its cholinergic anti-inflammatory action.

Protective Effect of Ginsenosides Rg1 on Ischemic Injury of Cardiomyocytes After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) leads to anoxia and ischemia of cardiomyocytes, followed by apoptosis. This study investigated the protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) on myocardial ischemia injury in rats with AMI. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: group A (blank control group), group B (hypoxia/reoxygenation group), group C (hypoxia/reoxygenation + 10 mg/L Rg1), group D (hypoxia/reoxygenation + 20 mg/L Rg1) and group E (hypoxia/reoxygenation + 40 mg/L Rg1). The survival rate, apoptosis rate, expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), microvessel density and myocardial infarction area of rats in each group were compared. The expressions of CDK4 and FGF9, the contents of SOD and GSH-Px in groups C, D and E injected with Rg1 were significantly promoted compared to group B without Rg1 injection (P < 0.05). The survival rate of myocardial cells was significantly increased while the apoptosis rate was significantly decreased in group C, D, E compared to group B (P < 0.05). On the 3rd, 7th and 10th day following Rg1 treatment, the infarct area of E group was significantly decreased in three groups C, D, E, and the microvessel density of infarct area was significantly increased compared with group B (P < 0.05). So, Rg1 can improve the survival rate of myocardial cells, reduce the apoptosis rate and the area of myocardial infarction, and increase the microvessel density of infarct area, thus playing a protective role in ischemic myocardial cells of AMI rats.

Nephroprotective Effect of Asparagus africanus Lam. Root Extract against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Swiss Albino Mice

The kidney is the organ most vulnerable to nephrotoxic drugs such as gentamicin. Nephrotoxicity is a rapid deterioration of kidney function due to various factors. Gentamicin causes nephrotoxicity, which was manifested by an increase in serum kidney biomarkers. Asparagus africanus is one of the ethnomedicinal plants used as traditional medicine for treating various ailments, including kidney disease in Ethiopian society. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of A. africanus root extract on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Using maceration techniques, 100 g of dried plant powder was extracted in 1 L of ethanol. The physicochemical screening of plant extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, and steroids. The nephroprotective activity of A. africanus crude extract was evaluated on male Swiss albino mice. The crude ethanolic extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses showed strong nephroprotective effects by restoring biomarkers such as creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen, which were damaged by gentamicin (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. The mice treated with higher doses (400 mg/kg) had a comparable nephroprotective effect compared to the positive control group (200 mg/kg silymarin; p > 0.05). The histopathology of the control group showed normal glomeruli, normal parenchyma, distal convoluted, and no tubular damage. The toxicant-induced group showed damage to glomeruli and inflammatory infiltration. Therefore, A. africanus root extract has a nephroprotective activity by retarding the gentamicin toxicity in male Swiss albino mice.

Ameliorative role of alpha-lipoic acid in renal cortical structural damage, induced by limb ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is related to kidney dysfunction due to bilateral lower limb ischemia. This kidney injury may lead to acute kidney failure and mortality. Alpha-Lipoic Acid, a known antioxidant, can ameliorate kidney dysfunction and histopathology related to several etiologies. Ischemia was performed in adult male rats by bilateral femoral artery occlusion, then ischemia-reperfusion was done for 1 day and 7 days. Lipoic acid was administered to rats that had undergone ischemia-reperfusion for 7 days. The renal cortices of the kidneys of the tested groups were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Immunohistochemical evaluation was performed using the following markers: cleaved caspase 3, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. There was damage to the renal cortical tubules and degeneration of podocytes and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane. Additionally, there was an increase in apoptosis and the inflammatory markers' immunoreactivity. Administration of alpha-lipoic acid resulted in improvement of the structural and immunohistochemical changes of the renal cortex. This may suggest a therapeutic rule of it and promising application for variable kidney injuries.

Prospects for Protective Potential of Moringa oleifera against Kidney Diseases

Kidney diseases are regarded as one of the major public health issues in the world. The objectives of this study were: (i) to investigate the causative factors involved in kidney disease and the therapeutic aspects of Moringa oleifera, as well as (ii) the effectiveness of M. oleifera in the anti-inflammation and antioxidant processes of the kidney while minimizing all potential side effects. In addition, we proposed a hypothesis to improve M. oleifera based drug development. This study was updated by searching the key words M. oleifera on kidney diseases and M. oleifera on oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in online research databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. The following validation checking and scrutiny analysis of the recently published articles were used to explore this study. The recent existing research has found that M. oleifera has a plethora of health benefits. Individual medicinal properties of M. oleifera leaf extract, seed powder, stem extract, and the whole extract (ethanol/methanol) can up-increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH), while decreasing the activity of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2. In our study, we have investigated the properties of this plant against kidney diseases based on existing knowledge with an updated review of literature. Considering the effectiveness of M. oleifera, this study would be useful for further research into the pharmacological potential and therapeutic insights of M. oleifera, as well as prospects of Moringa-based effective medicine development for human benefits.

Phenolic rich-extracts from Nauclea latifolia fruit restored Lead acetate-induced liver and kidney damaged in Wistar rats

Liver and kidney diseases are becoming order of the day in both developed and developing countries as a result of environmental pollutants such as lead. Restorative activities of methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts (MPR and MAPR, respectively) of the N. latifolia fruit (NLF) on lead acetate-induced liver and kidney damaged were assessed in Wistar rats. The antioxidant activities of both phenolic-rich extracts of NLF were also carried out using standard methods. Seven groups of Wistar rats comprising of 5 rats each were used for the study and 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of lead acetate solution was administered orally to the 6 groups of animals to induce liver and kidney damage. The high and low dosages of 300 and of 150 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of both MPR and MAPR were administered orally to four groups for 14 days along positive (100 mg/kg bw. of silymarin), negative (treated with the placebo) and naïve control (non-induced). The percentage DPPH radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing antioxidant power and percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation show high antioxidants activities dose-dependently. Furthermore, administration of lead acetate significantly (p > 0.05) reduces the weight gain and elevates the liver and kidney relative weight as well as their respective damage biomarkers with distortions in their histologies. However, treatment with MPR and MAPR resulted in significant (p < 0.05) improve in the percentage body weight gain, relative liver and kidney weight as well as restoration of the activities of the liver and kidney functions biomarkers of the treated animals. Likewise, lesser hepatic and renal cells injury were also observed in the treated groups with MAPR being more active at high dosage which significantly (p < 0.05) compared well with normal group. Hence, the phenolics content of the N. latifolia fruit can be exploited further for drug development for the management kidney and liver damage arise from lead-induced toxicity.

Twenty years of African Health Sciences as infections continue to plague our continent

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