Alpha-linolenic acid confers protection on mice renal cells against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

Insight into Nephrotoxicity and Processing Mechanism of Arisaema erubescens (Wall.) Schott by Metabolomics and Network Analysis

Background

Arisaematis Rhizome (AR) has been used as a damp-drying, phlegm-resolving, wind-expelling, pain-alleviating, and swelling-relieving drug for thousands of years. However, the toxicity limits its clinical applications. Therefore, AR is usually processed (Paozhi in Chinese) prior to clinical use. In this study, the integration of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/ time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and network analysis was adopted to investigate the metabolic shifts induced by AR and explore the processing mechanism.

Materials and Methods

Extracts of crude and processed AR products (1g/kg) were intragastrically administered to rats once daily for four consecutive weeks. The renal function was evaluated by blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), super oxide dismutase (SOD), the ratio of glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and histopathological examination. Furthermore, the chemical composition of AR was clarified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/ time-of-flight mass spectrometry, after which the integration of metabolomics and network analysis was adopted to investigate the metabolic shifts induced by AR and explore the processing mechanism.

Results

Crude AR caused renal damage by stimulating inflammation and oxidative stress, as confirmed by the increased production of IL-1β, TNF-α and MDA, and decreased levels of SOD, GSH/GSSH and GSH-Px. Processing with ginger juice, alumen and bile juice alleviated the damage to kidney. Metabolomics results showed that a total of 35 potential biomarkers enriched in amino acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, fatty acid-related pathways, etc. were deduced to be responsible for the nephrotoxicity of AR and the toxicity-reducing effect of processing.

Conclusion

This work provided theoretical and data support for the in-depth study of the processing mechanism, showing that processing reduces AR nephrotoxicity through multiple metabolic pathways.

Investigation of the phytochemical composition and remedial effects of southern grape hyacinth (Muscari neglectum Guss. ex Ten.) plant extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress in rats

We aimed to determine the phytochemical contents of the aerial part M. neglectum aerial part (MAP) and M. neglectum bulb (MB) ethanolic extract of Muscari neglectum and to investigate their protective effects on gastric damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in rats. After the toxicity testing, 42 female Wistar albino rats were divided into 7 groups, Control, MAP, MB, CCl₄, CCl₄ + MAP, CCl₄ + MB, and CCl₄ + Silymarin groups. At the end of the experiment, the serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant defense enzymes, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the stomach tissue were evaluated to determine the antioxidant role of the M. neglectum extracts. According to the gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, fatty acid analysis, octadecadienoic, and 9,12,15 octadecatrienoic fatty acids were found as major fatty acids in the MAP, whereas 9,12 octadecadienoic and octadecanoic acids were the major fatty acids in the MB. According to the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, quinic acid, fumaric acid, gentisic acid, caffeic acid, kaempferol, and apigenin were found in the MAP, while quinic acid, fumaric acid, caffeic acid, and kaempferol were found in the MB. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the extract were determined in the MAP and MB. The MAP and MB extracts generally caused a statistically significant decrease in the MDA content and increase in the antioxidant parameters in the stomach tissue. It was concluded that MAP and MB extracts may have antioxidant and gastric protective effects due to the phytochemical content of M. neglectum.HighlightsAccording to LC-MS/MS results, quinic acid, fumaric acid, chemferol, apigenin, and caffeic acid were determined as major compounds in M. neglectum extracts.According to GC-MS results, octadecadienoic, octadecatrienoic, and octadecanoic methyl esters were the major fatty acids of the M. neglectum extracts.The M. neglectum extracts regulated the levels of stomach damage and biochemical parameters.The M. neglectum extracts extract might have pharmaceutical-nutritional potential.

Regulation of semen quality by fatty acids in diets, extender, and semen

Fatty acids (FAs) are classified into different types according to the degree of hydrocarbon chain saturation, including saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-6 PUFAs), which play an important role in maintaining semen quality. This review focuses on the regulation of FAs in semen, diet and extender on semen quality, and expounds its effects on sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity, hormone content, and antioxidant capacity. It can be concluded that there are species differences in the FAs profile and requirements in sperm, and their ability to regulate semen quality is also affected by the addition methods or dosages. Future research directions should focus on analyzing the FAs profiles of different species or different periods of the same species and exploring suitable addition methods, doses and mechanism of regulating semen quality.

Effect of Nigella sativa L. Seed on the Kidney of Monosodium Glutamate Challenged Rats

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) consumption is responsible for a wide spectrum of health hazards including nephrotoxicity. The search for phytochemical strategies having broad safety profile to counter MSG toxicity is worthwhile. Nigella sativa L. seed (NSS) is very promising in this regard owing to its antioxidant and cytoprotective nature. Therefore, we attempted to investigate the potential protective effect of NSS on MSG-induced renal toxicity in rats. To accomplish this objective, fifteen adult Wistar albino rats were randomly and equally divided into three groups for 21 days: the control group received no treatment, MSG group supplemented with MSG at a dose of 30 g/kg feed, and MSG + NSS group supplemented with MSG at the same previous dose in conjugation with NSS at a dose of 30 g/kg feed. MSG and its combination with NSS failed to cause any significant difference in the kidney function parameters in comparison with the control. A significant elevation in lipid peroxides (LPO) level, glutathione-S-transferase activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and a significant reduction in superoxide dismutase activity were found in MSG group. LPO level and TAC in MSG intoxicated rats significantly normalized by NSS ingestion. NO level showed absence of significant difference among all experimental groups. MSG elicited histopathological lesions such as decreased glycoprotein content and fibrosis however, NSS succeeded in enhancing all these features. MSG group showed positive glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase 2 immuno-expression whereas, MSG + NSS group showed weak immunostaining. A significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells was observed in MSG group compared to the control. On the other hand, MSG + NSS group exhibited a significant decrease in the number of apoptotic cells. NSS mitigated MSG-induced renal impairments by ameliorating oxidative stress and exerting anti-apoptotic effect.

The review of alpha-linolenic acid: Sources, metabolism, and pharmacology

α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) is a carboxylic acid composed of 18 carbon atoms and three cis double bonds, and is an essential fatty acid indispensable to the human body. This study aims to systematically review related studies on the dietary sources, metabolism, and pharmacological effects of ALA. Information on ALA was collected from the internet database PubMed, Elsevier, ResearchGate, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, and Europe PMC using a combination of keywords including "pharmacology," "metabolism," "sources." The following findings are mainly contained. (a) ALA can only be ingested from food and then converted into eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the body. (b) This conversion process is relatively limited and affected by many factors such as dose, gender, and disease. (c) Pharmacological research shows that ALA has the anti-metabolic syndrome, anticancer, antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-obesity, neuroprotection, and regulation of the intestinal flora properties. (d) There are the most studies that prove ALA has anti-metabolic syndrome effects, including experimental studies and clinical trials. (e) The therapeutic effect of ALA will be affected by the dosage. In short, ALA is expected to treat many diseases, but further high quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of ALA.