Hepatoprotective Effects of Chitosan and Chitosan Nanoparticles against Biochemical, Genetic, and Histological Disorders Induced by the Toxicity of Emamectin Benzoate

Background

Emamectin benzoate (EMB) is a biopesticide which used in agriculture as an insecticide. It is easier to reach ecologically and affects human health. This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles against EMB-induced hepatotoxicity.

Methods

Male mice were distributed into four groups: G1: the negative control, G2: EMB group (5 mg/kg diet), G3: EMB with Chitosan, (600 mg/kg diet), and G4: EMB with Chitosan nanoparticles (600 mg/kg diet). The experiment continues for 8 weeks, and the animals were sacrificed, and their organs were removed and immediately weighed after sacrifice. The liver was quickly removed and processed for histopathological and genetic studies.

Results

Emamectin benzoate (EMB) treatment induced oxidative stress by increased levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) with inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) levels. EMB produced several histopathological changes in the liver. Relative expressions of studied genes elevated in the liver with increase in DNA damage. Co-treatment with chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles reduced EMB related liver toxicity that belong to biochemical, histopathological, gene expression, and DNA damage by increasing antioxidant capacity.

Conclusion

This study offers insight into the potential for Chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles as a novel natural material against the oxidative stress induced by EMB.

Antioxidant and Ex Vivo Immune System Regulatory Properties of Boswellia serrata Extracts

Boswellia serrata (BS) is an important traditional medicinal plant that currently represents an interesting topic for pharmaceutical research since it possesses several pharmacological properties (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumour). The safety and versatility of this dietary supplement should allow for its use in numerous pathological conditions; however the quality of the extracts needs to be standardized to increase the clinical success rate resulting from its use. In the present study, different commercially available B. serrata extracts were employed to compare their AKBA content and in vitro antioxidant power. Furthermore, their ability to modulate the immune system regulatory properties was investigated. Our results showed that the AKBA content varied from 3.83 ± 0.10 to 0.03 ± 0.004%, with one sample in which it was not detectable. The highest antioxidant power and phenolic content were shown by the same extract, which also exhibited the highest AKBA concentration. Finally, the BS extracts showed the ability to influence the regulatory and effector T-cell compartments. Our results suggest that frankincense should be further investigated for its promising potentiality to modulate not only inflammation/oxidative stress but also immune dysregulation, but attention should be paid to the composition of the commercial extracts.

Pyridine Based Chalcones: Synthesis and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of 1-Phenyl-3-(pyridin-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one Derivatives

Background

Natural chalcones and also their synthetic derivatives have attracted increasing attention due to various pharmacological applications. Development and discovery of new chalcones with antioxidant activities is one of the attracting areas in medicinal and natural product chemistry.

Objectives

In the present study, a new series of pyridine based chalcones was synthesized and their antioxidant capacity was evaluated by beta carotene bleaching (BCB), DPPH free radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelating (FIC) activity and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) methods.

Materials and Methods

All compounds were synthesized via an aldol condensation procedure in methanol or ethanol solvent at room temperature and characterization was carried out by ¹HNMR, IR and MS spectroscopic methods. Related melting points were also measured for each compound.

Results

Fortunately, compounds 3e (16.53 ± 1.21 µg/mL), 3g (58.85 ± 1.10 µg/mL) and 3i (58.73 ± 12.94 µg/mL) showed higher antioxidant activity (EC50 ± SD) in comparison with quercetin (87.24 ± 3.93 µg/mL) as reference agent in ferrous ion chelating method. Furthermore, compounds 3g (4.82 ± 0.11 µg/mL) and 3h (6.33 ± 0.30 µg/mL) also exhibited an acceptable antioxidant property compared to Trolox (3.83 ± 0.22 µg/mL) in TEAC method. None of synthesized compounds demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in DPPH free radical scavenging as well as beta carotene bleaching tests.

Conclusions

According to the obtained data, synthesized pyridine based chalcones (3a-3j) could be proposed as potential antioxidant lead compounds.