Hyparrhenia hirta: A potential protective agent against hematotoxicity and genotoxicity of sodium nitrate in adult rats

Pumpkin seed oil alleviates oxidative stress and liver damage induced by sodium nitrate in adult rats: biochemical and histological approach

BACKGROUND

Nitrate (NO3) is the most common chemical contaminant in the world's ground water aquifer. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a possible mechanism involved in NO3 toxicity on non-target organism.

OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed to elucidate the potential protective effect of Telfairia occidentalis (pumpkin seed oil, PSO) against hepatotoxicity induced by sodium nitrate.

METHODS

Wistar rats were exposed either to NaNO3 (200 mg/kg bw) in drinking water in drinking water, or to 4ml PSO/kg bw by gavage or to their combination. Oxidative stress parameters, biochemical biomarkers and liver histopathological examination were determined.

RESULTS

Our data showed that the exposure of rats to NaNO3 caused significant changes of some haematological parameters compared to the control. In addition, there was a significant elevation of the levels of biochemical markers as that of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase when compared with the control. Furthermore, exposure of rats to NaNO3 induced liver oxidative stress as indicated by the increase of malondialdehyde, progressive oxidation of protein products and protein carbonyl levels. In addition, a reduction in anti-oxidant status (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and vitamin C) was observed.

CONCLUSION

Co-administration of PSO to the NaNO3 restored most parameters cited above to near-normal values. Therefore, the present investigation revealed the ability of PSO to attenuate NaNO3-induced oxidative damage.

HPLC-DAD Analysis, Antioxidant and Protective Effects of Tunisian Rhanterium suaveolens against Acetamiprid Induced Oxidative Stress on Mice Erythrocytes

The present study was performed to assess the HPLC-DAD analysis as well as antioxidant and protective effects of Tunisian Rhanterium suaveolens (Rs) against acetamiprid (ACT) induced oxidative stress on mice erythrocytes. The in vitro assays showed that the methanolic extract of Rs has an impressive antioxidant effect proved by testing the total antioxidant and scavenging activities using BCB, DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. Moreover, qualitative and quantitative analysis using HPLC-DAD revealed the richness of Rs in polyphenols where p-Coumaric, Apigenin-7-glucoside and Ferulic acid were detected as the most abundant polyphenols. In the in vivo experiment, ACT, used as a toxicity model, was given to mice at a dose of 20 mg/kg. The latter was the origin of hemolytic anemia characterized by a significant decrease in red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and an increase in bilirubin, LDH, osmotic fragility, reticulocytes and white blood cells number. Characteristic erythrocyte morphological alterations were also determined as spherocytosis, schistocytosis and dacryocystitis. The oxidative status of ACT-treated mice was also altered manifested by a significant increase in MDA and GSH levels and a decrease in SOD, CAT and GPx activities. When receiving the Rs methanolic extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg, all the parameters cited above were restored in mice. These remarkable corrections could only confirm the important antioxidant effect and the noticeable protective properties that possess Rs owing to its broad range of secondary bioactive metabolites.

Subacute intoxication with sodium nitrate induces hematological and biochemical alterations and liver injury in male Wistar rats

Nitrate pollution has emerged as a problem of great importance because in recent years, the levels of nitrate in soil and groundwater have increased, mainly through anthropogenic activities, such as the use of fertilizers in agriculture, domestic wastewater and septic tanks, industrial waste and deforestation. In animals, nitrate reduction to nitrite (NO₂) and nitric oxide (NO) promote the formation of methemoglobin in the blood and the generation of highly reactive intermediates that induce oxidative stress in target organs. Exposition to nitrates has been associated with methemoglobinemia, reproductive toxicity, metabolic and endocrine alterations and cancer. This study analyzed acute intoxication with sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) in male Wistar rats, aged 12-16 weeks. Four groups with n = 10 rats each were formed: group 1 was the control, and group 2, group 3 and group 4 were treated for 10 days with intragastric doses of 19, 66 and 150 mg/kg/d NaNO₃, respectively. Hematological, metabolic and histological biomarkers in the liver were analyzed. The results showed high percentages of methemoglobin, an increase in NO₂ in the plasma and an accumulation in the liver. Moreover, there were high counts of white blood cells and platelets in all treated groups. Additionally, there was an increase in the spleen weight in group 4. High levels of glucose, triglycerides, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed and were significantly increased in groups 3 and 4. For oxidative stress biomarkers, there were increases in Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), total GSH and SOD activity, mainly in group 4. Changes in mitochondrial activity were not significant. Histopathological analyses of the liver showed inflammation, infiltration of mononuclear cells, steatosis, ischemia and necrosis, and these findings were more evident at high doses of NaNO₃ in which high of S-nitrosylation were found. In conclusion, NaNO₃ was reduced to NO₂, thereby inducing methemoglobinemia, whereas other reactive species generated oxidative stress, causing hematological and metabolic alterations and injury to the liver.

Protective effects of pomegranate peel against hematotoxicity, chromosomal aberrations, and genotoxicity induced by barium chloride in adult rats

CONTEXT

Pomegranate peel (PP) has health benefits including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimutagenic properties.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the biochemical composition and protective effects of PP against hematotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by barium chloride (BaCl2) in adult rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six each: control, barium (67 ppm via drinking water), PP (5% via diet), and their combination during 21 d. Oxidative stress was determined by MDA, AOPP, and antioxidant status: CAT, GPx, GSH, Vit C. Osmotic fragility (OF), chromosomal aberrations (CAs), and micronucleus (MN) assays were also studied.

RESULTS

PP showed a rich composition of antioxidant compounds. DPPH test found IC50 value= 5.3 μg/mL and a high polysaccharides content (315 ± 5 mg/g of extract). In vivo study showed a decrease in red blood cells (70%) and platelet counts (46%), hemoglobin content (8%), hematocrit percent (7%), and an 80% increase of white blood cells in Ba-treated rats. A reduction in antioxidant status: catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities, glutathione, and vitamin C levels by 31, 21, 28, and 29%, respectively, and an increase in MDA (46%) and AOPP levels (72%) were also observed compared with controls. BaCl2-treatment showed a significant increase in the frequencies of total chromosomal aberrations with abnormal metaphases and micronucleus in bone-marrow cells. Oxidative stress induced by BaCl2 might be the major cause for chromosomal abnormalities leading to DNA damage.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

A decrease in hematotoxic and genotoxic effects induced by PP is due to its powerful antioxidant capacity.

Sodium Nitrate Induces Reactive Oxygen Species That Lower the Antioxidant Power, Damage the Membrane, and Alter Pathways of Glucose Metabolism in Human Erythrocytes

Nitrate salts are widely used as food additives and nitrogenous fertilizers and are present as contaminants in drinking water supplies. The effect of different concentrations (1-15 mM) of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) on human erythrocytes was studied under in vitro conditions. Treatment of erythrocytes with NaNO3 resulted in increases in methemoglobin levels, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation and a decrease in glutathione content. There were changes in the activities of all major antioxidant defense enzymes, and the pathways of glucose metabolism were also affected. Increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) took place while the antioxidant power was impaired. The osmotic fragility of cells was increased, and membrane-bound enzymes were greatly inhibited. All changes were statistically significant at a probability level of P < 0.05 at all concentrations of NaNO3 except the lowest (1 mM). Thus, NaNO3 generates ROS that cause significant damage to human erythrocytes and interfere in normal cellular pathways.