Thymoquinone counteracts oxidative and inflammatory machinery in carrageenan-induced murine paw edema model

Thymoquinone (TQ) is an active constituent in Nigella sativa (black cumin) and is extensively reported for its distinguished antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. Despite the local protective response of acute inflammation, it contributes to the development of various disease conditions such as cell death, organ damage, or carcinogenesis. Hence, in this study, the effects of orally administered TQ (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) for 14 days against edema development, oxidative stress, and inflammation were investigated in paw edema induced by carrageenan in mice. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) was used as a reference drug. The results revealed that TQ reduced the paw edema volume in a time-dependent manner, attenuated acetic acid-provoked writhing movements, and reduced xylene-triggered ear edema. Hematological findings revealed marked normalization of altered counts of WBCs, and platelets. Furthermore, paw tissue levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide showed marked decreases together with increases in nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase after TQ administration. Additionally, TQ decreased pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, and nuclear factor kappa-B in the inflamed paw tissue. Moreover, appreciable decreases were recorded in cyclooxygenase-2 and its product prostaglandin E2 and the immune reaction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in TQ-treated mice. Histopathological findings further validated the potential antiedematous, anti-inflammatory power of TQ in inflamed tissues. Conclusively, the results encourage the potent application of TQ to subside acute inflammatory events because of its striking antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in inflamed paw tissue.

A Novel Role of Dapagliflozin in Mitigation of Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Modulation of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 (MCP-1)/Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (NF-κB)/Interleukin-18 (IL-18)

Colon illnesses, particularly ulcerative colitis, are considered a major cause of death in both men and women around the world. The present study investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms for the potential anti-inflammatory effect of Dapagliflozin (DAPA) against ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by intracolonic instillation of 3% v/v acetic acid (AA). DAPA was administered to rats (1 mg/kg, orally) for two weeks during the treatment regimen. Interestingly, compared to the normal group, a marked increase in the index of colon/body weight, colon weight/colon length ratio, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and C-reactive protein (CRP), besides decrease in the serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), were reported in the AA control group (p ˂ 0.05). Elevation in colon monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP1), Interleukin 18 (IL-18), and inflammasome contents were also reported in the AA control group in comparison with the normal group. In addition, colon-specimen immunohistochemical staining revealed increased expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and Caspase-3 with histopathological changes. Moreover, DAPA significantly (p ˂ 0.05) reduced the colon/body weight index, colon weight/colon length ratio, clinical evaluation, and macroscopic scoring of UC, and preserved the histopathological architecture of tissues. The inflammatory biomarkers, including colon MCP1, IL-18, inflammasome, Caspase-3, and NF-κB, were suppressed following DAPA treatment and oxidants/antioxidants hemostasis was also restored. Collectively, the present data demonstrate that DAPA represents an attractive approach to ameliorating ulcerative colitis through inhibiting MCP1/NF-κB/IL-18 pathways, thus preserving colon function. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties of DAPA are implicated in its observed therapeutic benefits.