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da Silva Prado L, Grivicich I, Miri JM, Charão MF, Bonfada A, Endres da Rocha G, Bondan da Silva J, Menezes Boaretto FB, Garcia ALH, da Silva J, Picada JN. Toxicological assessment of minoxidil: A drug with therapeutic potential besides alopecia. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 182:114211. [PMID: 38007212 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Minoxidil is regularly prescribed for alopecia, and its therapeutic potential has expanded in recent times. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate its toxicity, and controversial findings regarding its mutagenic activities remain unsolved. This study aimed to access cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic properties of minoxidil using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, comet assay, and micronucleus test in mouse fibroblast (L929) cells and its point mutation induction potential in the Salmonella/microsome assay. Furthermore, an in vivo toxicity assessment was conducted in Caenorhabditis elegans. Minoxidil showed cytotoxicity at 2.0 mg/mL in MTT assay. Genotoxicity was observed after 3 h treatment in L929 cells using comet assay. No mutagenic effect was observed in both the micronucleus test and the Salmonella/microsome assay. The lethal dose 50 in C. elegans was determined to be 1.75 mg/mL, and a delay in body development was detected at all concentrations. In conclusion, minoxidil induces DNA damage only in early treatment, implying that this DNA damage may be repairable. This observation corroborates the absence of mutagenic activities observed in L929 cells and Salmonella typhimurium strains. However, the toxicity of minoxidil was evident in both C. elegans and L929 cells, underscoring the need for caution in its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lismare da Silva Prado
- Toxicological Genetics Laboratory, Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Luteran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Av. Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Ivana Grivicich
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Luteran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Av. Farroupilha 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Jessica Machado Miri
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Luteran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Av. Farroupilha 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariele Feiffer Charão
- Graduate Program in Toxicology and Analytical Toxicology, Feevale University, ERS-239, 93525-075, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
| | - Amanda Bonfada
- Graduate Program in Toxicology and Analytical Toxicology, Feevale University, ERS-239, 93525-075, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Endres da Rocha
- Graduate Program in Toxicology and Analytical Toxicology, Feevale University, ERS-239, 93525-075, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Bondan da Silva
- Toxicological Genetics Laboratory, Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Luteran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Av. Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Brião Menezes Boaretto
- Toxicological Genetics Laboratory, Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Luteran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Av. Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Letícia Hilario Garcia
- Toxicological Genetics Laboratory, Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Luteran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Av. Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil; Toxicological Genetics Laboratory, LaSalle University, Av. Victor Barreto, 2288, 92010-000, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Juliana da Silva
- Toxicological Genetics Laboratory, Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Luteran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Av. Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil; Toxicological Genetics Laboratory, LaSalle University, Av. Victor Barreto, 2288, 92010-000, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Nascimento Picada
- Toxicological Genetics Laboratory, Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, Luteran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Av. Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil.
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Bedair AF, Wahid A, El-Mezayen NS, El-Yazbi AF, Khalil HA, Hassan NW, Afify EA. Nicorandil/ morphine crosstalk accounts for antinociception and hepatoprotection in hepatic fibrosis in rats: Distinct roles of opioid/cGMP and NO/KATP pathways. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115068. [PMID: 37392650 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous report indicated that nicorandil potentiated morphine antinociception and attenuated hepatic injury in liver fibrotic rats. Herein, the underlying mechanisms of nicorandil/morphine interaction were investigated using pharmacological, biochemical, histopathological, and molecular docking studies. Male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 40%, 2 ml/kg) twice weekly for 5 weeks to induce hepatic fibrosis. Nicorandil (15 mg/kg/day) was administered per os (p.o.) for 14 days in presence of the blockers; glibenclamide (KATP channel blocker, 5 mg/kg, p.o.), L-NG-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 15 mg/kg, p.o.), methylene blue (MB, guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, 2 mg/kg, i.p.) and naltrexone (opioid antagonist, 20 mg/kg, i.p.). At the end of the 5th week, analgesia was evaluated using tail flick and formalin tests along with biochemical determinations of liver function tests, oxidative stress markers and histopathological examination of liver tissues. Naltrexone and MB inhibited the antinociceptive activity of the combination. Furthermore, combined nicorandil/morphine regimen attenuated the release of endogenous peptides. Docking studies revealed a possible interaction of nicorandil on µ, κ and δ opioid receptors. Nicorandil/morphine combination protected against liver damage as evident by decreased liver enzymes, liver index, hyaluronic acid, lipid peroxidation, fibrotic insults, and increased superoxide dismutase activity. Nicorandil/morphine hepatoprotection and antioxidant activity were inhibited by glibenclamide and L-NAME but not by naltrexone or MB. These findings implicate opioid activation/cGMP versus NO/KATP channels in the augmented antinociception, and hepatoprotection, respectively, of the combined therapy and implicate provoked cross talk by nicorandil and morphine on opioid receptors and cGMP signaling pathway. That said, nicorandil/morphine combination provides a potential multitargeted therapy to alleviate pain and preserve liver function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asser F Bedair
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Wahid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nesrine S El-Mezayen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Amira F El-Yazbi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Hadeel A Khalil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nayera W Hassan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Elham A Afify
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
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Bedair AF, Wahid A, El-Mezayen NS, Afify EA. Nicorandil reduces morphine withdrawal symptoms, potentiates morphine antinociception, and ameliorates liver fibrosis in rats. Life Sci 2023; 319:121522. [PMID: 36822314 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a serious medical condition affecting patients globally and pain management poses a unique challenge. ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) are expressed in nociceptive neurons and hepatic cells. We tested the hypothesis whether morphine and nicorandil, KATP channel opener, alone and in combination possess hepatoprotective, antinociceptive effect and alter morphine physical dependence. MAIN METHODS Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis in male Wistar rats. Nicorandil (15 mg/kg/day) was administered per os for two weeks. Morphine (3.8, 5, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered prior to antinociception testing in tail flick and formalin tests. Morphine physical dependence following naloxone injection, fibrotic, oxidative stress markers, and liver histopathology were assessed. KEY FINDINGS Morphine alone, produced insignificant changes of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), hepatic hydroxyproline (Hyp), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and exerted significant antinociception in the pain models. Nicorandil alone protected against liver damage (decreased serum ALT, AST, HA, hepatic Hyp, MDA, increased SOD levels, improved fibrosis scores). Nicorandil/morphine combination produced remarkable hepatoprotection and persistent analgesia compared to morphine alone as evidenced by reduced (EC50) of morphine. Nicorandil augmented morphine analgesia and markedly decreased withdrawal signs in morphine-dependent rats. SIGNIFICANCE The data showed for the first time, the hepatoprotection and augmented antinociception mediated by nicorandil/morphine combination in liver fibrosis via antioxidant and antifibrotic mechanisms. Nicorandil ameliorated withdrawal signs in morphine dependence in CLD. Thus, combining nicorandil/morphine provides a novel treatment strategy to ameliorate hepatic injury, potentiate antinociception and overcome morphine-induced physical dependence in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asser F Bedair
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed Wahid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Nesrine S El-Mezayen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Elham A Afify
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
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Weiskirchen R. Hepatoprotective and Anti-fibrotic Agents: It's Time to Take the Next Step. Front Pharmacol 2016; 6:303. [PMID: 26779021 PMCID: PMC4703795 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis cause strong human suffering and necessitate a monetary burden worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of therapies. Pre-clinical animal models are indispensable in the drug discovery and development of new anti-fibrotic compounds and are immensely valuable for understanding and proofing the mode of their proposed action. In fibrosis research, inbreed mice and rats are by far the most used species for testing drug efficacy. During the last decades, several hundred or even a thousand different drugs that reproducibly evolve beneficial effects on liver health in respective disease models were identified. However, there are only a few compounds (e.g., GR-MD-02, GM-CT-01) that were translated from bench to bedside. In contrast, the large number of drugs successfully tested in animal studies is repeatedly tested over and over engender findings with similar or identical outcome. This circumstance undermines the 3R (Replacement, Refinement, Reduction) principle of Russell and Burch that was introduced to minimize the suffering of laboratory animals. This ethical framework, however, represents the basis of the new animal welfare regulations in the member states of the European Union. Consequently, the legal authorities in the different countries are halted to foreclose testing of drugs in animals that were successfully tested before. This review provides a synopsis on anti-fibrotic compounds that were tested in classical rodent models. Their mode of action, potential sources and the observed beneficial effects on liver health are discussed. This review attempts to provide a reference compilation for all those involved in the testing of drugs or in the design of new clinical trials targeting hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy, and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen Aachen, Germany
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