Ficus exasperata Vahl leaves extract attenuates motor deficit in vanadium-induced parkinsonism mice

Effects of Ficus exasperata on neurotransmission and expression of BDNF, tau, ACHE and BACE in diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder, has significant global health implications, particularly due to its neurological complications, such as diabetic neuropathy. This condition increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases by affecting peripheral nerves and cognition. Ficus exasperata, known for its neuroprotective properties, shows promise as a therapeutic option for addressing these complications. This study evaluates the effects of methanol extract of Ficus exasperata (MEFE) on neurotransmission and the expression of Tau, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), acetylcholinesterase (ACHE), and Beta-Site Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleaving Enzyme (BACE) in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. The controlled experimental design involved 20 Wistar rats divided into four groups (n = 5): control, diabetic untreated, diabetes + MEFE (200 mg/kg), and diabetes + insulin (0.3 IU). The methanol extract was prepared using cold maceration, and an aliquot was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Constituents of MEFE were docked with neurologic receptors. Blood glucose levels were measured using the glucose oxidase method, and neurotransmitter levels, antioxidants, oxidative stress markers, and the expression of Tau, BDNF, ACHE, and BACE were assessed using standard procedures and qRT-PCR. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at P < 0.05. Results indicated that MEFE significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels compared to untreated diabetic rats. In silico docking identified kaur-16-ene, a constituent of MEFE, as having the highest binding affinity for NMDA, TrkB, mAchR and nAchR receptors, indicating its neuroprotective potential. MEFE also enhanced antioxidant enzyme levels (SOD, GPx, catalase) while reducing oxidative stress markers (MDA, 8-OHdG). Gene expression analysis revealed that MEFE modulates the expression of Tau, BDNF, ACHE, and BACE, suggesting its potential to influence neurodegenerative pathways associated with diabetic neuropathy. Ficus exasperata demonstrates significant therapeutic potential in managing diabetic neuropathy and related cognitive impairments by modulating neurotransmission, protein expression, and antioxidant defenses.

Honey and levodopa comparably preserved substantia nigra pars compacta neurons through the modulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease model

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects about 8.5 million individuals worldwide. Oxidative and inflammatory cascades are implicated in the neurological sequels, that are mostly unresolved in PD treatments. However, proper nutrition offers one of the most effective and least costly ways to decrease the burden of many diseases and their associated risk factors. Moreover, prevention may be the best response to the progressive nature of PD, thus, the therapeutic novelty of honey and levodopa may be prospective. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective role of honey and levodopa against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced oxidative stress. Fifty-four adult male Swiss mice were divided into control and PD model groups of 27 mice. Each third of the control mice either received phosphate buffered saline, honey, or levodopa for 21 days. However, each third of the PD models was either pretreated with honey and levodopa or not pretreated. Behavioral studies and euthanasia were conducted 2 and 8 days after MPTP administration respectively. The result showed that there were significantly (P<0.05) higher motor activities in the PD models pretreated with the honey as well as levodopa. furthermore, the pretreatments protected the midbrain against the chromatolysis and astrogliosis induced by MPTP. The expression of antioxidant markers (glutathione [GSH] and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2]) was also significantly upregulated in the pretreated PD models. It is thus concluded that honey and levodopa comparably protected the substantia nigra pars compacta neurons against oxidative stress by modulating the Nrf2 signaling molecule thereby increasing GSH level to prevent MPTP-induced oxidative stress.

Elucidation and active ingredient identification of aqueous extract of Ficus exasperata Vahl leaf against bisphenol A-induced toxicity through in vivo and in silico assessments

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, poses significant health problems due to its induction of oxidative stress, inflammation, etc. Whereas Ficus exasperata Vahl leaf (FEVL) was reported for its ethnopharmacological properties against several ailments owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties, etc. Here, we aim to elucidate and identify the bioactive compounds of aqueous extract of FEVL (AEFEVL) against BPA-induced toxicity using in vivo and in silico assessments. To determine the BPA toxicity mechanism and safe doses of AEFEVL, graded doses of BPA (0-400 μM) and AEFEVL (0-2.0 mg/10 g diets) were separately fed to flies to evaluate survival rates and specific biochemical markers. The mitigating effect of AEFEVL (0.5 and 1.0 mg/10 g diet) against BPA (100 and 200 μM)-induced toxicity in the flies after 7-day exposure was also carried out. Additionally, molecular docking analysis of BPA and BPA-o-quinone (BPAQ) against selected antioxidant targets, and HPLC-MS-revealed AEFEVL compounds against Keap-1 and IKKβ targets, followed by ADMET analysis, was conducted. Emergence rate, climbing ability, acetylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase-B, and glutathione-S-transferase activities, and levels of total thiols, non-protein thiols, nitric oxide, protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, and cell viability were evaluated. BPA-induced altered biochemical and behavioral parameters were significantly mitigated by AEFEVL in the flies (p < 0.05). BPAQ followed by BPA exhibited higher inhibitory activity, and epigallocatechin (EGC) showed the highest inhibitory activity among the AEFEVL compounds with desirable ADMET properties. Conclusively, our findings revealed that EGC might be responsible for the mitigative effect displayed by AEFEVL in BPA-induced toxicity in D. melanogaster.

Graphical abstract

Flavonoid glycoside fraction of Ginkgo biloba extract modulates antioxidants imbalance in vanadium-induced brain damage

Human and animal diseases have always been reported to be treated by medicinal herbs owing to their constituents. Excess sodium metavanadate is a potential environmental toxin when consumed and could induce oxidative damage leading to various neurological disorders and Parkinsons-like diseases. This study is designed to investigate the impact of the flavonoid Glycoside Fraction of Ginkgo Biloba Extract (GBE) (at 30 mg/kg body weight) on vanadium-treated rats. Animals were divided randomly into four groups: Control (Ctrl, normal saline), Ginkgo Biloba (GIBI, 30mg/kg BWT), Vanadium (VANA, 10 mg/kg BWT) and Vanadium + Ginkgo biloba (VANA + GIBI). Markers of oxidative stress (Glutathione Peroxidase and Catalase) were assessed and found to be statistically increased with GIBI when compared with CTRL and treatment groups. Results from routine staining revealed that the control and GIBI group had a normal distribution of cells and a pronounced increase in cell count respectively compared to the VANA group. When compared to the VANA group, the NeuN photomicrographs revealed that the levels of GIBI were within the normal range (***p < 0.001; ** p < 001). The treatment with GIBI showed a better response by increasing the neuronal cells in the VANA+GIBI when compared with the VANA group. The NLRP3 Inflammasome photomicrographs denoted that there was a decrease in NLRP3-positive cells in the control and GIBI groups. The treatment group shows fewer cells compared to that of the VANA group. The treatment group shows fewer cells compared to that of the VANA group. The findings of the study confirmed that ginkgo biloba extract via its flavonoid glycoside fraction has favorable impacts in modulating vanadium-induced brain damage with the potential ability to lower antioxidant levels and reduce neuroinflammation.

Biological Consequences of Vanadium Effects on Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Lipid Peroxidation

Lipid peroxidation (LPO), a process that affects human health, can be induced by exposure to vanadium salts and compounds. LPO is often exacerbated by oxidation stress, with some forms of vanadium providing protective effects. The LPO reaction involves the oxidation of the alkene bonds, primarily in polyunsaturated fatty acids, in a chain reaction to form radical and reactive oxygen species (ROS). LPO reactions typically affect cellular membranes through direct effects on membrane structure and function as well as impacting other cellular functions due to increases in ROS. Although LPO effects on mitochondrial function have been studied in detail, other cellular components and organelles are affected. Because vanadium salts and complexes can induce ROS formation both directly and indirectly, the study of LPO arising from increased ROS should include investigations of both processes. This is made more challenging by the range of vanadium species that exist under physiological conditions and the diverse effects of these species. Thus, complex vanadium chemistry requires speciation studies of vanadium to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the various species that are present during vanadium exposure. Undoubtedly, speciation is important in assessing how vanadium exerts effects in biological systems and is likely the underlying cause for some of the beneficial effects reported in cancerous, diabetic, neurodegenerative conditions and other diseased tissues impacted by LPO processes. Speciation of vanadium, together with investigations of ROS and LPO, should be considered in future biological studies evaluating vanadium effects on the formation of ROS and on LPO in cells, tissues, and organisms as discussed in this review.

Naringin ameliorates motor dysfunction and exerts neuroprotective role against vanadium-induced neurotoxicity

Exposure to vanadium has been known to lead to a progressive neurodegenerative disorder like Parkinson's disease. Naringin is a known flavonoid glycoside that is mostly seen in the flesh of grapefruit and orange and is believed to have protective effects for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. This study sought to investigate the role of Naringin in the treatment of vanadium-induced neurotoxicity. Vanadium (10 mg/kg BW) was injected intraperitoneally to induce motor dysfunction, followed by treatment with Naringin (30 mg/kg BW) intraperitoneally for 14 days. Oxidative stress imbalance was monitored by checking Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) and Catalase levels. Histological and immunohistochemical alterations were observed using RBFOX3 polyclonal antibody to determine neuronal cell distribution and NLRP3 inflammasome antibody as a marker of inflammation. Exposure to vanadium induces neurotoxicity by significantly increasing the Catalase and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) levels. Vanadium administration also led to increased inflammatory cells and a significant reduction of the viable neuronal cells in the SNc and CPu. Treatment with Naringin showed a neuroprotective role by dependently restoring the Catalase and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) levels, inflammasome activation, and neuronal damage in the SNc and CPu. Naringin demonstrated anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory responses by inhibiting oxidative stress, and inflammation and exerts neuroprotective effects by inhibiting apoptosis following vanadium-induced neurotoxicity in adult Wistar rats.

Tamarindus indica ameliorates behavioral and cytoarchitectural changes in the cerebellar cortex following prenatal aluminum chloride exposure in Wistar rats

Aluminium exposure has been linked with developmental neurotoxicity in humans and experimental animals. The study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of Tamarindus indica on the developing cerebellar cortex, neurobehavior, and immunohistochemistry of the cerebellar cortex following prenatal aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) exposure. Pregnant timed Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=4). Group I (negative control) was given distilled water, group II was treated with 200 mg/kg of AlCl₃, group III were given 200 mg/kg of AlCl₃ and 400 mg/kg of ethyl acetate leaf fraction of Tamarindus indica (EATI), group IV were given 200 mg/kg of AlCl₃ and 800 mg/kg of EATI, and group V were treated with 200 mg/kg of AlCl₃ s/c and 300 mg/kg of vitamin E for 14 days (prenatal day 7-21) via the oral route. Male pups (n=6) were randomly selected and taken for neurobehavioral studies, and humanely sacrificed via intraperitoneal injection of thiopental sodium. The cerebellum was removed, fixed and tissue processed for histological and immunohistochemical studies. The results revealed that prenatal AlCl₃ exposure impacted neurodevelopment and neurobehaviour among exposed pups. Prenatal AlCl₃ exposure was marked with delayed cytoarchitectural development of the cerebellar cortex and increased GFAP expression in the cerebellar cortex. On the other hand, treatment with EATI and vitamin E were marked with significant improvements. The present study therefore concluded treatment with EATI shows an ameliorative effect to prenatal AlCl₃ exposure.