Effects of nerol on paracetamol-induced liver damage in Wistar albino rats

"GC-MS profiling, sub-acute toxicity study and total phenolic and flavonoid content analysis of methanolic leaf extract of Schima wallichii (D.C.) Korth-a traditional antidiabetic medicinal plant"

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Schima wallichii (D.C.) Korth is traditionally used in Manipur, India for treatment of diabetes and hypertension. However, there is no data reported regarding safety profile of this medicinal plant upon repeated per oral administration over a period of time.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the current study phytochemical profile, toxicological profile and total phenolic and flavonoid compound content of Schima wallichii leaves extract were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was performed for chemical profiling by using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), Shimadzu, TQ8040 system. A 28 days sub-acute toxicity study was carried out using albino Wistar rats by administering 3 different doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight per oral) of methanol leaves extract. Changes in body weights were recorded weekly. Serum biochemical parameters were estimated as well as blood-cell count was done to check the effect of extract on haematopoietic system. Histopathology of vital organs viz. kidney, heart, brain, liver was performed to find any pathological indications. Since, liver is main the site for xenobiotic metabolism, estimation of the level of glutathione, catalase and lipid peroxidation were done. Further, total phenolic and flavonoid compound content estimation was performed for the leaves extract.

RESULTS

GC-MS revealed 14 major compounds with area percentage >1% of which quinic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid, 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)-, Octatriacontyl trifluoroacetate, are three major compounds. No mortality was observed after the treatment with extract. Blood-cell count and biochemical parameters didn't show significant deviation as compared to control group. Histopathology study of vital organs viz. (liver, kidney, heart and brain) showed normal cellular construction comparing to control group. There was no sign of membrane lipid peroxidation, depletion of catalase level and glutathione level in liver. The result demonstrates that NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect levels) in the sub-acute toxicity was above 800 mg/kg. The leaves extract showed significant total phenol and flavonoid content.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that Schima wallichii possessed important bioactive compounds with therapeutic values. The plant was safe for consumption after repeated high doses administration in rats and possesses significant amount of total phenol and flavonoid content.

Isolation and characterization of bioactive components from hydroalcoholic extract of Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Schult. to evaluate its hepatoprotective activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Schult. (Family: Poacea/Gramineae) is being used to treat numerous ailments in traditional/folklore and indigenous system of medicine due to its antioxidant, anti-allergic, antiparasitic, analgesic, antipyretic and anticancer activities; however there is no documented evidence regarding its hepatoprotective efficacy.

AIM

This study was aimed to evaluate hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Cymbopogon jwarancusa (HECJ) against paracetamol (PCM) induced liver damage in albino Wistar rats, and to identify the bioactive components present in the extract responsible for the said activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five groups of rats (n = 6) were orally treated with: 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (normal control), 50 mg/kg silymarin (reference standard), HECJ [515 mg/kg (low dose) and 720 mg/kg (high dose)] (test groups) for 7 days daily, followed by induction of hepato-toxicity using PCM (2 gm/kg) on 7th day (PCM control; reference standard; test groups). The blood samples to estimate the level of AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and total protein; liver tissue homogenate for antioxidant markers (GSH, GST, GPx, and LPO) and liver section for histopathological analysis were collected. Isolation and characterization of phytochemicals from HECJ was done by preliminary screening, determination of phenolic, flavonoid and terpenoid content, and GC-MS analysis.

RESULTS

The animals pre-treated with HECJ dose-dependently and significantly alleviated the PCM-induced alterations in liver enzymes, plasma proteins, serum total bilirubin and antioxidant markers levels. The histopathological analysis suggest that PCM causes marked necrosis and lymphocyte infiltration, while preservation of the normal hepatic architecture was observed in groups pre-treated with, reference standard drug silymarin, and HECJ. Preliminary screening of the extract, determination of phenolic, flavonoid and terpenoid content, and GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of some important bioactive components such as phenolics, flavonoids, glycoside, tannins, steroids, fatty acids, sterols, esters, saponins, terpenes/terpenoids and essential oil which could be synergistically responsible for the plant's hepatoprotective effect.

CONCLUSIONS

This study concluded that C. jwarancusa could be taken as a beneficial natural product for its hepatoprotective efficacy; however, future line of work is required to establish its precise mechanism of action.

Identification and Characterization of a Nerol Synthase in Fungi

Nerol, a linear monoterpenoid, is naturally found in essential oils of various plants and is widely used in the fragrance, food, and cosmetic industries. Nerol synthase, essential for nerol biosynthesis, has previously been identified only in plants that use NPP as the precursor. In this study, a novel fungal nerol synthase, named PgfB, was cloned and characterized from Penicillium griseofulvum. In vitro enzymatic assays showed that PgfB could directly convert the substrate GPP into nerol. Furthermore, the successful expression of PgfB and its homologous protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in the heterologous production of nerol. Finally, crucial amino acid residues for PgfB's catalytic activity were identified through site-directed mutagenesis. This research broadens our understanding of fungal monoterpene synthases and presents precious gene resources for the industrial production of nerol.

The protective effects of nerol to prevent the toxicity of carbon tetrachloride to the liver in Sprague-Dawley rats

Introduction

Carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4) is well-known to cause liver damage due to severe oxidative stress. Nerol, on the other hand, is a monoterpene that is antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic. This study set out to determine if nerol may be used as a prophylactic measure against the oxidative stress mediated hepatic injury caused by CCl4.

Materials and methods

For the aim of this experiment, 35 male Sprague-Dawley rats ranging in body weight (BW) from 140 to 180 g were split into five separate groups. With the exception of vehicle control group 1, all experimental rats were subjected to carbon tetrachloride exposure through intra-peritoneal injection at a 0.7 mL/kg body weight dose once a week for 4 weeks (28 days). The treatment groups 3 and 4 received oral administration of nerol at 50 and 100 mg/kg BW for 28 days. In the same time period, the standard control group received 100 mg/kg BW silymarin.

Results

Serum hepatic markers, lipid profiles, albumin, globulin, bilirubin, and total protein were all substantially improved in nerol-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner that had been exposed to CCl4 compared to the only CCl4-treated group. Carbon tetrachloride-exposed rats had lower glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels and higher thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels than normal rats. In contrast, administration of nerol shown a significant augmentation in the concentrations of these antioxidant compounds, while concurrently inducing a decline in the levels of TBARS in the hepatic tissue. In a similar vein, the histo-pathological examination yielded further evidence indicating that nerol offered protection to the hepatocyte against damage generated by CCl4.

Conclusion

According to the findings of our investigation, nerol has potential as a functional element to shield the liver from harm brought on by ROS that are caused by CCL4.

A Facile Glycerol-Assisted Synthesis of Low-Cu2+-Doped CoFe2O4 for Electrochemical Sensing of Acetaminophen

This work devised a simple glycerol-assisted synthesis of a low-Cu2+-doped CoFe2O4 and the electrochemical detection of acetaminophen (AC). During the synthesis, several polyalcohols were tested, indicating the efficiency of glycerin as a cosolvent, aiding in the creation of electrode-modifier nanomaterials. A duration of standing time (eight hours) before calcination produces a decrease in the secondary phase of hematite. The synthesized material was used as an electrode material in the detection of AC. In acidic conditions (pH 2.5), the limit of detection (LOD) was 99.4 nM, while the limit of quantification (LOQ) was found to be (331 nM). The relative standard deviation (RSD), 3.31%, was computed. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of a low-Cu2+-doped CoFe2O4-modified electrode Cu0.13Co0.87Fe2O4/GCE corresponds extremely well with its resistance Rct, which was determined using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique and defined its electron transfer capacity. The possibility of a low-Cu2+-doped CoFe2O4 for the electrochemical sensing of AC in human urine samples was studied. The recovery rates ranging from 96.5 to 101.0% were obtained. These findings suggested that the Cu0.13Co0.87Fe2O4/GCE sensor has outstanding practicability and could be utilized to detect AC content in real complex biological samples.

A novel water-soluble chitosan grafted with nerol: Synthesis, characterization and biological activity

In order to improve the antibacterial activity of chitosan and change its solubility, a novel water-soluble chitosan (CS)-nerol (N) derivative (CS-N) was prepared via Schiff base reaction and grafting reaction. FT-IR, NMR, XRD, TGA and SEM were used to characterize the structure and physicochemical properties, and in vitro antibacterial, antioxidant, and cellular assays were used to test for bioactivity and safety. The results revealed that the C6 hydroxyl group of CS was substituted with N, with a degree of substitution of 38 % for CS-N. Furthermore, compared to CS, CS-N demonstrated superior antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as significant DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity. Most importantly, CS-N did not harm HaCaT cells. In conclusion, this study provides a promising strategy for the design of chitosan derivatives with significant potential for application in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic applications.

Protective Effect of Annona muricata Linn Fruit Pulp Lyophilized Powder against Paracetamol-Induced Redox Imbalance and Hepatotoxicity in Rats

In the current investigation, Annona muricata Linn. lyophilized fruit pulp powder was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity induced by paracetamol or acetaminophen (APAP). Male Sprague Dawley rats were orally pre-treated for 15 days with A. muricata lyophilized fruit pulp powder at low (1 g/kg b.wt) and high doses (2 g/kg b.wt). Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was administered as the standard drug. Hepatotoxicity was induced using APAP, in a single oral administration of 2.5 g/kg body weight dosage on the 15th day. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were elevated in the APAP group but were found to be significantly reduced in the pre-treated groups in a dose-dependent manner. APAP administration brought down the serum total protein and albumin levels significantly. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase were reduced in the APAP administration; further, the reduced glutathione pool in the tissue was also diminished significantly. However, with the administration of Annona lyophilized fruit pulp powder, the level of antioxidant parameters was near normal. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation was observed in the APAP group, while the silymarin, AML, and AMH groups exhibited resistance to lipid peroxidation (LPO), as evident from lower levels of LPO generated. Histopathological examination also revealed considerable tissue damage in the APAP alone treatment group, which was not devastating in the silymarin, AML, and AMH groups. Altogether, the study concludes that the lyophilized fruit pulp of A. muricata is protective against APAP-induced liver injury in rats by modulating the hepatic redox systems.

Upregulation of Antioxidative Gene Expression by Lasia spinosa Organic Extract Improves the Predisposing Biomarkers and Tissue Architectures in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Models of Long Evans Rats

Plants are an entity essential to the function of the biosphere as well as human health. In the context of human health, this research investigated the effect of Lasia spinosa (Lour) leaf methanolic extracts (LSML) on antioxidative enzymes and gene expression as well as biochemical and histological markers in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes model. Fructose-fed streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic animals were subjected to a four-week intervention followed by the assessment of the animal’s blood and tissues for enzymatic, biochemical, histological, and genetic changes. LSML-treated groups were shown to decrease plasma glucose levels and improve body and organ weights compared to the untreated group in a dose-dependent manner. At the doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg b.w., LSML were able to normalize serum, hepatic, and renal biochemical parameters and restore the pancreas, kidney, liver, and spleen tissue architectures to their native state. A considerable increase (p < 0.01) of liver antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD, GSH, and a decrease of MDA level in LSML-treated groups were found at higher doses. The improved mRNA expression level of antioxidant genes CAT, SOD2, PON1, and PFK1 was also found at the doses of 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg BW when compared to untreated control groups. The results demonstrate that LSML impacts the upregulation of antioxidative gene expressions, thus improving the diabetic complications in animal models which need to be affirmed by compound-based antioxidative actions for therapeutic development.

Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Properties of Natural Bioactive Monoterpenes Nerol, Estragole, and 3,7-Dimethyl-1-Octanol

The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants is noted because of the presence of varieties of biochemicals. The monoterpenes, like nerol, estragole, and 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol, have been reported for antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, and antioxidant activities. This study evaluated the toxic, cytotoxic, and oxidant/antioxidant effects of these compounds by several in vitro (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, and ferric reducing potential), ex vivo (hemolysis), and in vivo (Artemia Salina and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) assays. Results suggest that estragole and 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol at 31.25-500 μg/mL did not exhibit significant cytotoxic effects in the A. Salina and hemolysis tests. Nerol showed significant cytotoxic effects on these test systems at all test concentrations. The monoterpenes showed radical (ABTS•+ and DPPH•) scavenging capacities in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro tests. However, they did not oxidize the genetic material of S. cerevisiae (SODWT, Sod1Δ, Sod2Δ, Sod1/Sod2Δ, Cat1Δ, and Cat1Δ/Sod1Δ) lines. Among the three monoterpenes, nerol may be a good candidate for antioxidant and anti-tumor therapies.

The Discrimination and Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds in Different Areas of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Pericarps and Leaves by HS-GC-IMS and HS-SPME-GC-MS

The pericarps of Zanthoxylum bungeanum (ZBP) and leaves of Zanthoxylum bungeanum (ZBL) are popular spices in China, and they have pharmacological activities as well. In this experiment, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the pericarps of Zanthoxylum bungeanum in Sichuan (SJ) and its leaves (SJY) and the pericarps of Zanthoxylum bungeanum in Shaanxi (SHJ) and its leaves (SHJY) were analyzed by headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) and headspace solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The fingerprint of HS-GC-IMS and the heat maps of HS-SPME-GC-MS were established. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed. The results showed that a total of 95 components were identified, 62 components identified by HS-SPME-GC-MS and 40 components identified by HS-GC-IMS, of which 7 were the same. The analysis found that SJ and SHJ were obviously distinguished, while SJY and SHJY were not. There were considerably fewer VOCs in the leaves than in the pericarps. In the characterization of the VOCs of ZBL and ZBP, the flavor of ZBP was more acrid and stronger, while the flavor of ZBL was lighter and slightly acrid. Thirteen and eleven differential markers were identified by HS-GC-IMS and HS-SPME-GC-MS, respectively. This is helpful in distinguishing between SHJ and SJ, which contributes to their quality evaluation.

Galium aparine L. protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The toxicity of acetaminophen (N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP)) is the most frequent cause of drug-induced liver damage. Galium aparine L. (GA) is traditionally used to treat jaundice. We aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective potential of GA in the APAP-induced hepatic encephalopathy (HE) rat model. Qualitative phytochemical characterization of GA was performed by LC/Q-TOF/MS analysis. Wistar rats were pretreated with GA (250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt. per oral) for five days. On the 6th day, the rats were exposed to APAP (1500 mg/kg b.wt. oral gavage) and behavioral tests (open field and passive avoidance tests) were applied on the 7th and 8th days. The animals were killed, and biochemical and histopathological parameters were assessed in blood and hepatic specimens. GA pretreated rats exhibited a significant reduction in APAP-induced liver damage, evidenced by the reduction in liver necrosis and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin (BIL). GA demonstrated an anxiolytic effect, as seen in the acquisition trial and grooming behavior. The short-term memory performances of animals were not changed in all groups, suggesting that APAP intoxication did not affect hippocampal function. These results show that GA extract markedly exerts hepatoprotective activity, while its effect on hepatic encephalopathy was limited.

Progress in the treatment of drug-induced liver injury with natural products

There are numerous prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs that cause drug-induced liver injury (DILI), which is the main cause of liver disease in humans around the globe. Its mechanism becomes clearer as the disease is studied further. For an instance, when acetaminophen (APAP) is taken in excess, it produces N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) that binds to biomacromolecules in the liver causing liver injury. Treatment of DILI with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown to be effective. For example, activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway as well as regulation of glutathione (GSH) synthesis, coupling, and excretion are the mechanisms by which ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) treats APAP-induced acute liver injury. Nevertheless, reducing the toxicity of TCM in treating DILI is still a problem to be overcome at present and in the future. Accumulated evidences show that hydrogel-based nanocomposite may be an excellent carrier for TCM. Therefore, we reviewed TCM with potential anti-DILI, focusing on the signaling pathway of these drugs' anti-DILI effect, as well as the possibility and prospect of treating DILI by TCM based on hydrogel materials in the future. In conclusion, this review provides new insights to further explore TCM in the treatment of DILI.

Therapeutic Potential of Isorhamnetin following Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity through Targeting NLRP3/NF-κB/Nrf2

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) is the principal cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in some countries including the United States and with few available treatments. Isorhamnetin is a bioflavonoid that is found in medicinal plants like Hippophae rhamnoides L. and Ginkgo biloba L. with promising potential to regulate inflammatory responses. In this study, we evaluated the possible effect of isorhamnetin in prevention of APAP-induced ALI and analyzed further the involvement of oxidative stress and inflammation-associated factors. Male C57BL/6 mice were given isorhamnetin (25 or 100 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) three times at 48, 24, and 1 h before APAP administration (300 mg/kg b.w., i.p.). Functional indicators of liver injury were measured as well as analysis of oxidative stress- and inflammation-associated indices and liver histopathology was also conducted. Isorhamnetin at the higher dose of 100 mg/kg significantly lowered serum levels of ALT, ALP, and AST in addition to reduction of ROS, TBARS, IL-6, TNFα, NF-kB, NLRP3, caspase 1, and MPO and significantly prevented reduction of GSH, SOD activity, sirtuin 1, and Nrf2. Additionally, isorhamnetin alleviated pathological changes of the liver tissue and suitably reversed NF-kB and Nrf2 immunoreactivity. These findings show protective effect of isorhamnetin against acetaminophen-induced liver injury through reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and pyroptosis which is attributed to its regulation of NF-kB, Nrf2, NLRP3, and sirtuin 1.