Cichoriin, a Biocoumarin, Mitigates Oxidative Stress and Associated Adverse Dysfunctions on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Rats

Metabolic dysfunctions linked to obesity carry the risk of co-morbidities such as diabetes, hepatorenal, and cardiovascular diseases. Coumarins are believed to display several biological effects on diverse adverse health conditions. This study was conducted to uncover the impact of cichoriin on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Methods: Obesity was induced in twenty rats by exposure to an HFD for six weeks. The rats were randomly divided into five groups; group I comprised five healthy rats and was considered the control one. On the other hand, the HFD-induced rats were divided into the following (five per each group): group II (the HFD group), groups III (cichoriin 50 mg/kg) and IV (cichoriin 100 mg/kg) as the treatment groups, and group V received atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) (as a standard). Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), urea, creatinine, the hepatic and renal malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were assessed. Histopathological analysis of the heart, kidney, and liver tissues was investigated. mRNA and protein expressions of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) were estimated. Results: The administration of cichoriin alleviated HFD-induced metabolic dysfunctions and improved the histopathological characteristics of the heart, kidney, and liver. Additionally, the treatment improved the lipid profile and hepatic and renal functions, as well as the oxidative balance state. Cichoriin demonstrated an upregulation of the mRNA and protein expressions of PPAR-γ. Taken together, these findings are the first report on the beneficial role of cichoriin in alleviating adverse metabolic effects in HFD-induced obesity and adapting it into an innovative obesity management strategy.

Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis Leaf Extract Alleviates Gentamicin-Induced Hepatorenal Injury in Rats—Possible Modulation of IL-1β and NF-κB Activity Assisted with Computational Approach

Background: Recently, crop byproducts are considered a hot topic and can be converted into beneficial products. Cauliflower is well-known for its protective effects against oxidative stress-induced damage. The current study aimed to investigate the chemical profile and the ameliorative effects of cauliflower leaf extract (CL) on gentamicin-induced renal and hepatic injuries in rats. Methods: Cauliflower leaf was extracted with methanol to give the total methanol extract (TME) followed by the determination of total phenolic contents (TPC). Rats were divided into five groups; Group I was assigned as the control group, while the other groups were injected with gentamicin for ten days. Group II was given distilled water. Rats in groups III and IV were treated with oral CL (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively). Group V received L-cysteine (as a positive control). The functions of the kidneys and liver; oxidative stress and morphological and apoptotic changes of renal and hepatic tissues were assessed. Results: The TME was subjected to chromatographic techniques to yield ferulic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid and quercetin. TPC was 72.31 mg GAE/g of dried extract. CL treatment dose-dependently ameliorated gentamicin-induced impaired kidney and liver functions and improved the histopathological appearance of both organs. It also reduced gentamicin-induced oxidative stress. CL demonstrated downregulation of mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and NF-κB compared to nontreated rats. In silico interaction of the isolated compounds with amino acid residues of IL-1β and NF-κB might explain the current findings. Conclusion: Taken together, this study raises the waste-to-wealth potential of cauliflower to mitigate gentamicin-induced hepatorenal injury and convert the waste agromaterials into valuable products.

Voice Disorders Among Teachers in Al-Ahsa, Eastern Region, KSA: Vocal Complaints, Treatment-Seeking Behaviors, and Knowledge of Vocal Care

BACKGROUND

Voice disorders are a serious and common complaint among teachers, yet there are no published studies on these conditions in the context of Al-Ahsa city in the eastern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study analyzed the vocal complaints of Saudi teachers, investigated their treatment-seeking behaviors, and assessed their knowledge of vocal care.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was randomly distributed to 604 Saudi teachers from December 2021 to March 2022. The data included sociodemographic characteristics, academic statuses, vocal symptoms and their effects, and attitudes toward voice problems. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (v. 23). Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. A chi-square test was conducted to verify the association between the categorical variables.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 62.1% were female. 65.4% reported having voice-related problems, with the most frequently reported symptoms being hoarseness (68.35%), throat dryness (60.76%), and sore throat (56.46%). Out of the participants who reported voice problems, 32.15% stated being affected by absenteeism from school. Only a minority of teachers sought medical help (5.1%) or received information about the vocal care (29.5%). The factors that were found to be significantly associated with voice complaints include female gender, positive family history of vocal disorders, speaking in a loud voice, being non-smoker, and having the high number of classes per week (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Voice-related complaints were highly prevalent among Saudi teachers for multiple factors, most of which were manageable. This study strongly recommends the vocal educational programs to be implemented during student teacher training.