Lead exposure-induced changes in hematology and biomarkers of hepatic injury: protective role of TrévoTM supplement

Lead exposure has been linked to health challenges involving multiple organ failure. More than fifty percent of lead present in the human body is accumulated in the liver causing hepatic injury. A major mechanism of lead toxicity is oxidative stress. TrévoTM is a nutritional supplement with numerous bioactive natural products with detoxifying and antioxidant properties. This study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of TrévoTM dietary supplements against lead-hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Thirty-five healthy animals were divided into five groups of seven each as follows: Group I=control; II=15 mg/kg of lead acetate (PbA); III= 2 mL/kg of TrévoTM + PbA; IV= 5 mL/kg of TrévoTM + PbA;V=5 mL/kg of TrévoTM . Animals were orally treated with TrévoTM for two days before co-administration with PbA intraperitoneally for 12 consecutive days. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last administration and blood were collected via cardiac puncture and processed for hematological parameters and assessment of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and albumin (ALB). The liver was excised and processed for markers of oxidative stress and histopathological examination. Intraperitoneal administration of 15 mg/kg of PbA caused a significant increase in serum concentration of AST, ALT, while the concentration of ALB was significantly decreased (P<0.001). PbA caused a significant reduction in packed cell volume, hemoglobin while the total white blood cell count, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils were increased. Oxidative stress was significantly pronounced in the liver of rats exposed to PbA as observed in the high concentration of malonedialdehyde, decreased concentration of glutathione, the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Pretreatment with TrévoTM was able to significantly prevent the anemic, oxidative damage, and hepatic injury initiated by PbA. Histological examination also corroborated the biochemical results. In conclusion, the study reveals that TrévoTM is effective in attenuating PbA-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats.

Trévo abrogates Lead Acetate Neurotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats viz Antiamyloidogenesis, Antiglutaminergic, and Anticholinesterase Activities

Background:

Exposure to lead has been linked to biochemical changes similar to those patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Trévo is a phytonutrient-rich product with antiaging and antioxidant properties.

Purpose:

To investigate the neuroprotective activity of trévo against lead-induced biochemical changes in male Wistar rats.

Methods:

The study involves 35 animals that were randomly divided into five groups of seven rats each. Group I (Control): Orally administered distilled water; Group II (Induced): Administered 15 mg/kg of lead acetate (PbA) intraperitoneally; Group III (Treatment group): Orally administered 2 mL/kg of trévo for two days before co-administration with PbA for 12 consecutive days; Group IV (Treatment group): Orally administered 5 mL/kg of trévo for two days prior to coadministration with PbA for 12 consecutive days; Group V: Orally administered 5 mL/kg of trévo for 14 consecutive days. Animals were anesthetized with diether and the brain excised and processed for the following biochemical assays: Malonedialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), beta-amyloid, glutamate, Na+/K+ ATPase, and glutamate dehydrogenase (GD).

Results:

PbA caused significant oxidative stress (increased MDA concentration, decreased GSH concentration, suppressed the activity of CAT, SOD), decreased GT activity, increased activity of AChE, increased the concentration of beta-amyloid, and caused glutamate excitotoxicity (increased concentration of glutamate, decreased activity of Na+/K+ ATPase, and GD) in rat brains. Treatment with trévo at the two different doses significantly prevented oxidative damage, beta-amyloid aggregation, glutamate excitotoxicity, and acetylcholine breakdown induced by lead acetate.

Conclusion:

Our findings added to the reported pharmacological activity of trévo and supported the antiaging potential of trévo.

Neuroprotective flavonoids of the leaf of Antiaris africana Englea against cyanide toxicity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Different parts of Antiaris africana Englea (Moraceae) are used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases, including epilepsy and other nervous system disorders.

AIMS OF THIS STUDY

The current study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective activity of flavonoids isolated from A. africana against potassium cyanide (KCN)-induced oxidative damage in brain homogenate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dried and ground leaves of A. africana were extracted with methanol and fractioned into n-hexane (HFA), dichloromethane (DFA), ethyl acetate (EFA) and methanol (MFA). Each fraction was assessed for neuroprotective potential by anticholinesterase activity test. The fraction with the best anticholinesterase activity was subjected to various chromatographic techniques through bioassay-guided fractionation to isolate the bioactive compounds. The protective ability of the extract, fractions and compounds against Potassium cyanide (KCN)-induced mitochondrial damage in rat brain homogenate was evaluated. Structures of the isolated compounds were determined using 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry and by comparison with literature data.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The ethyl acetate fraction showed the best anticholinesterase activity with an IC₅₀ of 23.23 ± 1.12 μg/ml. Quercetin and a biflavonoid glucoside identified as 3'-4'-bisquercetin-3β-D-diglucoside from this fraction displayed a remarkable antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay and showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in the activity of dehydrogenase inhibited by KCN in a concentration dependent manner. However, quercetin was more effective in reducing the MDA level and acetylcholinesterase activity that were elevated by KCN.

CONCLUSION

Quercetin and the bisquercetin-diglucoside isolated from the leaves of A. Africana for the first time, are major contributors to the observed neuroprotective property of the plant which supports its folkloric usage in the management of seizures, epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

Hydroethanolic Extracts of Senna alata Leaves Possess Antimalarial Effects and Reverses Haematological and Biochemical Pertubation in Plasmodium berghei-infected Mice

The current work investigated the chemical profile, antimalarial potential and capacity of hydroethanolic Senna alata extract (SAE) to reverse hematological and biochemical pertubation in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Results of the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, steroids and cardiac glycosides. Total phenolic and flavonoid content was estimated to be 45.29 ± 2.34 mg GAE/g and 25.22 ± 2.26 mg QE/g respectively. In vitro analysis of the extract also confirmed its antioxidant property. Results of the test for prophylaxis of P. berghei indicated that SAE suppressed parasitemia significantly in treated groups in a dose dependent manner when compared with negative control group. Similarly, SAE improved the mean survival time (MST) and packed cell volume (PCV) of infected mice. The test for curative effect showed that SAE significantly suppressed parasitemia to 4.50 ± 1.05% compared to untreated group 29.83 ± 3.49%. Results of liver and kidney functions indices of treated animals indicated that whereas infection with P. berghei caused increase in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, urea and creatinine, treatment with SAE significantly reversed the perturbation. Similarly, infected mice were dyslipidemic with concomitant increased activity of HMG CoA reductase and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes with increase in lipid peroxides levels. However, these alterations were significantly reversed by administration of SAE. Results of this study shows that Senna alata possess antimalarial activity and therefore justify the traditional use of plant for the treatment of malaria.

Sterculia tragacantha Lindl Leaf Extract Ameliorates STZ-Induced Diabetes, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Neuronal Impairment

Background

Sterculia tragacantha is a medicinal plant commonly used in the western part of Nigeria, for managing diabetes mellitus. However, there is a dearth of scientific information on the antidiabetic and neuroprotective properties of the plant.

Methods

The in silico, in vitro and in vivo models were used to evaluate the antioxidants, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective potential of aqueous extract of Sterculia tragacantha leaf (AESTL) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty (30) male albino rats (155.34±6.33 g) were intraperitoneal injected with 40 mg/kg of freshly prepared streptozotocin and were divided into 5 groups (A-E) of 6 animals each. Groups A–D were treated with 0, 150 and 300 mg/kg of AESTL, and 200 mg/kg body weight of metformin respectively, while group E serve as the normal control.

Results

The results of in vitro analysis revealed dose-dependent antioxidant activities; ABTS (IC₅₀ = 63.03±2.57 μg/mL), DPPH (117.49±2.35 μg/mL), FRAP (15.19±0.98 mmol/100g), TAC (43.38±0.96 mg/100g), hypoglycaemic effect; α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 77.21±4.35 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 443.25±12.35), and anti-cholinesterase; AChE (IC₅₀ = 113.07±3.42 μg/mL) and BChE (IC₅₀ = 87.50±4.32 μg/mL) activities of AESTL. In vivo study revealed dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect and body weight improvement in rats treated with the AESTL. In addition, AESTL improved the antioxidant status and attenuated STZ-induced dysregulations of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, cholinesterases and neurotransmitters in the brain tissue of experimental rats. The results also demonstrated that AESTL could regulate anti-inflammatory response via inhibition of COX-2/NO signaling axis in the brain of diabetic rats. Molecular docking analysis revealed that epicatechin and procyanidin B2, the bioactive compounds from AESTL, docked well to the binding cavities of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase with binding affinities ranges between –8.0 and –11.4 kcal/mol, suggesting that these compounds are the bioactive component that could be responsible for the antidiabetic and neuroprotective activities of AESTL.

Conclusion

The results of the present study strongly suggested that the AESTL extract could be very useful for halting diabetes progression and its associated neuroinflammation complications.

Pan-Cancer Analysis of Immune Complement Signature C3/C5/C3AR1/C5AR1 in Association with Tumor Immune Evasion and Therapy Resistance

Despite the advances in our understanding of the genetic and immunological basis of cancer, cancer remains a major public health burden with an ever-increasing incidence rate globally. Nevertheless, increasing evidence suggests that the components of the complement system could regulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) to promote cancer progression, recurrence, and metastasis. In the present study, we used an integrative multi-omics analysis of clinical data to explore the relationships between the expression levels of and genetic and epigenetic alterations in C3, C5, C3AR1, and C5AR1 and tumor immune evasion, therapy response, and patient prognosis in various cancer types. We found that the complements C3, C5, C3AR1, and C5AR1 have deregulated expression in human malignancies and are associated with activation of immune-related oncogenic processes and poor prognosis of cancer patients. Furthermore, we found that the increased expression levels of C3, C5, C3AR1, and C5AR1 were primarily predicted by copy number variation and gene methylation and were associated with dysfunctional T-cell phenotypes. Single nucleotide variation in the gene signature co-occurred with multiple oncogenic mutations and is associated with the progression of onco-immune-related diseases. Further correlation analysis revealed that C3, C5, C3AR1, and C5AR1 were associated with tumor immune evasion via dysfunctional T-cell phenotypes with a lesser contribution of T-cell exclusion. Lastly, we also demonstrated that the expression levels of C3, C5, C3AR1, and C5AR1 were associated with context-dependent chemotherapy, lymphocyte-mediated tumor killing, and immunotherapy outcomes in different cancer types. In conclusion, the complement components C3, C5, C3AR1, and C5AR1 serve as attractive targets for strategizing cancer immunotherapy and response follow-up.

Avermectin Derivatives, Pharmacokinetics, Therapeutic and Toxic Dosages, Mechanism of Action, and Their Biological Effects

Avermectins are a group of drugs that occurs naturally as a product of fermenting Streptomyces avermitilis, an actinomycetes, isolated from the soil. Eight different structures, including ivermectin, abamectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, moxidectin, and selamectin, were isolated and divided into four major components (A1a, A2a, B1a and B2a) and four minor components (A1b, A2b, B1b, and B2b). Avermectins are generally used as a pesticide for the treatment of pests and parasitic worms as a result of their anthelmintic and insecticidal properties. Additionally, they possess anticancer, anti-diabetic, antiviral, antifungal, and are used for treatment of several metabolic disorders. Avermectin generally works by preventing the transmission of electrical impulse in the muscle and nerves of invertebrates, by amplifying the glutamate effects on the invertebrates-specific gated chloride channel. Avermectin has unwanted effects or reactions, especially when administered indiscriminately, which include respiratory failure, hypotension, and coma. The current review examines the mechanism of actions, biosynthesis, safety, pharmacokinetics, biological toxicity and activities of avermectins.

Modulation of key enzymes linked to Parkinsonism and neurologic disorders by Antiaris africana in rotenone-toxified rats

Background The physiopathologies of many neurologic diseases are characterized by related biochemical dysfunctions that could be explored as drug targets. This study evaluated the effect of a methanol leaf extract of Antiaris africana (MEA) on critical bioindices of Parkinsonism and related neurologic dysfunctions in rats with rotenone-induced neurotoxicity. Methods Animals were administered 50 or 100 mg/kg MEA for 14 consecutive days. Rotenone (1.5 mg/kg) was administered three times per day on days 13 and 14. Coenzyme Q10 (5 mg/kg) was the reference drug. Complex I activity, dopamine level, activities of acetylcholinesterase, myeloperoxidase, Na+/K+ ATPase and glutamine synthetase, as well as oxidative stress indices were evaluated at the end of the period of treatment. Results Rotenone-intoxicated group showed disruption of complex 1 activity, dopamine level, and glutamine synthetase activity with negative alterations to activities of acetylcholinesterase, myeloperoxidase, and Na+/K+ ATPase as well as heightened cerebral oxidative stress. MEA restored brain mitochondria functionality, mitigated altered neurochemical integrity, and ameliorated cerebral oxidative stress occasioned by rotenone neurotoxicity. The activity of A. Africana was comparable with that of 5 mg/kg coenzyme Q10. Conclusions These results indicated that A. africana displayed therapeutic potential against Parkinsonism and related neurologic dysfunctions and support its ethnobotanical use for the treatment of neurologic disorders.

MODULATION OF KEY BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS RELEVANT TO STROKE BY ANTIARIS AFRICANA LEAF EXTRACT FOLLOWING CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INJURY

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress plays a significant role in stroke pathogenesis. Hence, plants rich in antioxidant phytochemicals have been suggested as effective remedies for prevention and treatment of stroke and other neurological diseases. Antiaris africana Engl. (Moraceae) is traditionally used for the management of brain-related problems but there is paucity of data on its anti-stroke potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced by a 30 min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion/ 2 h reperfusion (BCCAO/R) in the brain of male Wistar rats. A sham-operated group which was not subjected to BCCAO/R and a group subjected to BCCAO/R without treatment with MEA served as controls. The ameliorative effect of 14 days of pretreatment with 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg A. africana methanol leaf extract (MEA) on BCCAO/R-mediated alterations to key markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and neurochemical disturbances and excitotoxicity (myeloperoxidase, glutamine synthetase, Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, acetylcholinesterase and tyrosine hydroxylase), was evaluated and compared with the effect produced by treatment with 20 mg/kg quercetin as a reference standard.

RESULTS

Results show that pretreatment with MEA significantly mitigated or reversed BCCAO/R-induced changes in the level or activity of the evaluated biochemical markers of oxidative stress, neurochemical dysfunction and excitotoxicity compared with the BCCAO/R untreated control group (p < 0.05). The effect produced by 100 mg/kg MEA was similar to that of the reference standard, quercetin.

CONCLUSION

These results revealed the neuroprotective potential of A. africana in stroke and other ischemia-related pathologies.