A combination extract of kaffir lime, galangal, and lemongrass maintains blood lipid profiles, hepatocytes, and liver mitochondria in rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

The Fate of 1,8-cineole as a Chemical Penetrant: A Review

The stratum corneum continues to pose the biggest obstacle to transdermal drug delivery. Chemical penetrant, the first generation of transdermal drug delivery system, offers a lot of potential. In order to fully examine the permeation mechanism of 1,8-cineole, a natural monoterpene, this review summarizes the effects of permeation-enhancing medications on drugs that are lipophilic and hydrophilic as well as the toxicity of this substance on the skin and other tissues. For lower lipophilic drugs, 1,8-cineole appears to have a stronger osmotic-enhancing impact. An efficient and secure tactic would be to combine enhancers and dose forms. 1,8-cineole is anticipated to be further developed in the transdermal drug delivery system and even become a candidate drug for brain transport due to its permeability and low toxicity.

Sericin enhances ammonia detoxification by promotes urea cycle enzyme genes and activates hepatic autophagy in relation to CARD-9/MAPK pathway

Urea cycle is an important metabolic process that initiates in liver mitochondria and converts ammonia to urea. The impairment of ammonia detoxification, both primary and secondary causes, lead to hyperammonemia, a life-threatening condition affecting to the brain. Current treatments are not enough effective. In addition, our recent proteomics study in hypercholesterolemic rat model demonstrated that sericin enhances hepatic nitrogenous waste removal through carbamoyl-phosphate synthase 1 (CPS-1), aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH-2), and uricase proteins. However, the underlining mechanisms regard to this property is not clarified yet. Therefore, the present study aims to examine the effect of sericin on urea cycle enzyme genes (CPS-1 and ornithine transcarbamylase; OTC) and proteins (mitogen-activated protein kinase; MAPK, caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9; CARD-9, Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3; LC-3), which relate to urea production and liver homeostasis in hepatic cell line (HepG2) and hypercholesterolemic rat treated with or without sericin. qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy techniques were performed. In vitro study determined that high dose of sericin at 1 mg/ml increased liver detoxification enzyme (Cytochrome P450 1A2; CYP1A2 and ALDH-2) and urea cycle enzyme (CPS-1 and OTC) genes. Both in HepG2 cell and rat liver mitochondria, sericin significantly downregulated CARD-9 (apoptotic protein) expression while upregulated MAPK (hepatic homeostasis protein) and LC-3 (autophagic protein) expressions. Hence, it might be concluded that sericin promotes ammonia detoxification by both increases urea cycle enzyme genes and enhances hepatic autophagy in associated with CARD-9/MAPK pathway (as shown by their own negative relationship). This study presents another beneficial property of sericin to develop an upcoming candidate for ammonia toxicity alleviation and liver function improvement.

The neuroprotective potential of turmeric rhizome and bitter melon on aspartame-induced spatial memory impairment in rats

Aspartame is widely used artificial sweetener. However, chronic exposure to aspartame led to spatial memory impairment and elevated oxidative stress in the brain. Extract of turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) (TUR) and extract of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) (BM) is known to have antioxidant activity. The present study was aimed to examine the neuroprotective potential of TUR and BM extracts, either as single or as combination, against the effects of aspartame in the brain. Here, Sprague-Dawley rats fed with aspartame (40 mg/kg BW) for 28 days were compared with rats fed with extract and aspartame. To assess neuroprotective potential, rats were given extract 7 days before and during aspartame treatment. Spatial memory was assessed with Morris water maze test followed with H&E staining of hippocampal region. Brain lipid peroxidation and enzymatic activity of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were measured to probe status of oxidative stress in the brain. Aspartame-treated rats demonstrated spatial memory impairment and reduced number of hippocampal cells and elevated levels of MDA, downregulated activity of GPx and elevated activity of AChE. In contrast, animals received both aspartame and extract demonstrated better spatial memory function, higher number of hippocampal areas, increased GPX activity, reduced MDA levels, and decreased AChE activity were observed in the brain of extract-treated rats. Taken together, our results suggest that extract of TUR rhizome and BM fruit exhibit antioxidant activity which may contribute to the neuroprotective effects against aspartame-induced memory impairment in rats.

High-Dose Primaquine Induces Proximal Tubular Degeneration and Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Linked to Host Cells Mitochondrial Dysregulation

Primaquine (PQ) is the only antimalarial medication used to eradicate many species of Plasmodium gametocytes and prevent relapse in vivax and ovale malarias. PQ metabolites induce oxidative stress and impair parasitic mitochondria, leading to protozoal growth retardation and death. Collateral damage is also presented in mammalian host cells, particularly erythrocytes, resulting in hemolysis and tissue destruction. However, the underlying mechanisms of these complications, particularly the mitochondria-mediated cell death of the host, are poorly understood. In the present study, toxicopathological studies were conducted on a rat model to determine the effect of PQ on affected tissues and mitochondrial toxicity. The results indicated that the LD₅₀ for PQ is 200 mg/kg. A high dose of PQ induced hemolytic anemia, elevated a hepatic enzyme (SGPT), and induced proximal tubular degeneration, ventricular cardiomyopathy, and mitochondrial dysregulation. In addition, PQ induced the upregulation of apoptosis-related proteins Drp-1 and caspase-3, with a positive correlation, as well as the pro-apoptotic mitochondrial gene expression of Bax, reflecting the toxic effect of high doses of PQ on cellular damage and mitochondrial apoptosis in terms of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity. Regarding the risk/benefit ratio of drug administration, our research provides caution for the use of PQ in the treatment of malaria based on its toxicopathological effects.

Potential Therapeutic Effects of Citrus hystrix DC and Its Bioactive Compounds on Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity are major medical problems globally. The incidence of these disorders has increased tremendously in recent years. Studies have demonstrated that plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have beneficial effects on these disorders. One of these plants is Citrus hystrix DC, commonly known as kaffir lime. This review aims to present updates on the progress of research regarding the use of C. hystrix in metabolic disorders. Phytochemical compounds, including β-pinene, sabinene, citronellal, and citronellol, have been detected in the plant; and its extract exhibited potential antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity activity, as well as prevention of development of hypertension. These beneficial properties may be attributable to the presence of bioactive compounds which have therapeutic potential in treating these metabolic disorders. The compounds have the potential to be developed as candidate drugs. This review will assist in validating the regulatory role of the extract and its bioactive compounds on metabolic disorders, thus expediting future research in the area.

Streptozotocin induces alpha-2u globulin nephropathy in male rats during diabetic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Alpha-2u globulin nephropathy mainly shows toxicological pathology only in male rats induced by certain chemicals and drugs, such as levamisole (antiparasitic and anticancer drugs). Streptozotocin (STZ) is also an anticancer-antibiotic agent that has been used for decades to induce a diabetic kidney disease model in rodents. The purpose of this study is to determine if STZ causes alpha-2u globulin nephropathy in male rats during an advanced stage of diabetic kidney disease. Alpha-2u globulin nephropathy, water absorption and filtration capacities (via aquaporin [AQP]-1, - 2, - 4 and - 5) and mitochondrial function (through haloacid dehalogenase-like hydrolase domain-containing protein [HDHD]-3 and NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 75 kDa subunit [NDUFS]-1 proteins) were examined in STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rat model.

RESULTS

More than 80% of severe clinical illness rats induced by STZ injection simultaneously exhibited alpha-2u globulin nephropathy with mitochondrial degeneration and filtration apparatus especially pedicels impairment. They also showed significantly upregulated AQP-1, - 2, - 4 and - 5, HDHD-3 and NDUFS-1 compared with those of the rats without alpha-2u globulin nephropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

STZ-induced alpha-2u globulin nephropathy during diabetic kidney disease in association with deterioration of pedicels, renal tubular damage with adaptation and mitochondrial driven apoptosis.

Citronellal ameliorates doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity via antioxidative stress, antiapoptosis, and proangiogenesis in rats

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a very effective broad-spectrum anticancer drug, yet its clinical application is badly restricted due to its serious side effects. Citronellal (CT), a specialized metabolite of plants found in Cymbopogon spp., is proved to exhibit many beneficial properties. In the current study, we intended to investigate the effect of CT on DOX-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Rats were treated with CT (200 mg/kg b.w./day orally), and given DOX (2.5 mg/kg b.w./week, intraperitoneally) to induce hepatotoxicity for six consecutive weeks. The results showed that CT administration could attenuate the DOX-induced pathological changes of liver tissues and ameliorated the inappropriate alteration of liver function biomarkers (serum glutamic aspartate aminotransferase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and albumin) in serum and oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione) in the liver. Moreover, CT mitigated the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 expression to inhibit cell apoptosis. Further study indicated that CT therapy could enhance the protein levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and CD31 in the liver. These results demonstrate that CT can ameliorate DOX-induced hepatotoxicity in rats mediated by antioxidative stress, antiapoptosis, and proangiogenesis.

Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet through modulation of different gut microbiota-dependent pathways

The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased year on year, and the increasing appreciation of the importance of gut microbiota provides novel therapeutic avenues for the treatment of NAFLD. To explore the similarities and differences between lactic acid bacteria (LAB) known to alleviate NAFLD, we selected three strains of Bifidobacterium adolescentis and three strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus to administer to C57BL/6J mice on a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD) for 23 weeks. Subsequently, the effects of the LAB were evaluated through various measures. The six LAB strains were found to have varying degrees of efficacy in the prevention of NAFLD. We found that there were interspecific and intraspecific differences in the beneficial effects, mainly with respect to energy metabolism, lipid metabolism and short-chain fatty acid concentration. Three strains of B. adolescentis and one strain of L. rhamnosus were found to relieve NAFLD by increasing the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the intestine of NAFLD mice. The other two strains of L. rhamnosus, LGG and L10-1, relieved NAFLD through different ways, LGG modulated energy metabolism and lipid metabolism, and L10-1 reduced liver inflammation. Examination of gut microbiota indicated that the six LAB strains could block the HFHCD-induced elevation of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and alter the dominant species within the gut. These results suggest that B. adolescentis and L. rhamnosus can inhibit the development of NAFLD by regulating gut microbiota, and their use is thus a promising therapeutic strategy.