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

Antioxidant Effects of Moringa oleifera Against Abamectin-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Brain and Erythrocytes of Rats

The current study was conducted to explore the phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract (MOLE), as well as its in vivo modulatory effects on abamectin (ABM)-induced oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes and brain tissue. Following extraction, the total phenolic, flavonoid, condensed tannin and ortho-diphenolic contents of MOLE were determined. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis allowed the identification and the quantification of 12 bioactive compounds: gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, ascorbic acid, alizarin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, resveratrol, and naringin. In vitro study: the assessment of the antioxidant activity of MOLE on the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical DPPH and the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS), its ferric reducing power and its antioxidant effect on the β-carotene bleaching indicated that MOLE exhibited potent antioxidant activity, with an IC50 of 0.125 mg/mL against DPPH radical, and an IC50 of 0.06 mg/mL against ABTS radical. It also demonstrated notable ferric-reducing ability, with an EC50 of 1.4 mg/mL and a strong inhibition of β-carotene bleaching with an IC50 of 1.36 mg/mL. In vivo study: Twenty rats were equally divided into four groups. The first group served as a control and received distilled water by gavage. The second group (negative control) received ABM in drinking water at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight. The third group received MOLE at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight by gavage. The fourth group received a combination of ABM and MOLE in the same manner and doses as described, for 3 weeks. Body weight, brain relative and absolute weights, and nitric oxide levels were not affected by ABM. However, ABM significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity (p < 0.001), decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, specifically superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in cerebral tissue, and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes (p < 0.001). ABM also decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in both the brain (p < 0.001) and erythrocytes (p < 0.05). In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly increased in the brains of ABM-intoxicated rats (p < 0.01) compared to the control group. These results were accompanied by histopathological changes, notably the remarkable vacuolization of neuropil in brain tissue. Supplementation with MOLE in ABM-treated rats significantly ameliorated brain AChE (p < 0.05) and GST activities, decreased MDA content, and improved GSH levels in both brain and erythrocyte homogenates (p < 0.01). MOLE also restored the histopathological alterations observed in the ABM group. Computational modeling revealed that some of the tested molecules, including some present in the studied extract, bound human peroxiredoxin 5, CAT, and glutathione peroxidase with acceptable affinities, which, together with the established molecular interactions and tight embedding satisfactory support the in vivo results. Thus, it may be concluded that ABM impairs brain and erythrocyte function through oxidative damage, and these effects could be prevented by MOLE, likely due to its antioxidant activity.

Immuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models

This study investigates the immunomodulatory potential of Galium aparine L. (GAE) in immunodeficient animals. In this study, animals were categorized into five groups: the normal group, CYP group (cyclophosphamide intraperitoneal injection), GA5 group (cyclophosphamide + 5 μg GAE), GA50 group (cyclophosphamide + 50 μg GAE), and GA500 group (cyclophosphamide + 500 μg GAE). The CYP group exhibited significantly reduced spleen weights compared to the normal group, while the groups obtaining GAE displayed a dose-dependent increase in spleen weight. Furthermore, the GAE demonstrated dose-dependent enhancement of splenocyte proliferating activity, with significant increases observed in both LPS and ConA-induced assays. NK cell activity significantly increased in the GA50 and GA500 groups compared to the CYP group. Cytokine analysis revealed a significant increase in IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels in ConA-induced splenocytes treated with GAE. Gene expression analysis identified 2434 DEG genes in the extract groups. Notable genes, such as Entpd1, Pgf, Thdb, Syt7, Sqor, and Rsc1al, displayed substantial differences in individual gene expression levels, suggesting their potential as target genes for immune enhancement. In conclusion, Galium aparine L. extract exhibits immunomodulatory properties. The observed gene expression changes further support the potential of Galium aparine L. extract as a natural agent for immune augmentation.

Natural Products for Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury: A Review

The liver plays a vital role in metabolism, synthesis, and detoxification, but it is susceptible to damage from various factors such as viral infections, drug reactions, excessive alcohol consumption, and autoimmune diseases. This susceptibility is particularly problematic for patients requiring medication, as drug-induced liver injury often leads to underestimation, misdiagnosis, and difficulties in treatment. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely used and safe drug in therapeutic doses but can cause liver toxicity when taken in excessive amounts. This study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of APAP and explore potential treatment strategies using a mouse model of APAP-induced liver injury. The study involved the evaluation of various natural products for their therapeutic potential. The findings revealed that natural products demonstrated promising hepatoprotective effects, potentially alleviating liver damage and improving liver function through various mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammation, which cause changes in signaling pathways. These results underscore the importance of exploring novel treatment options for drug-induced liver injury, suggesting that further research in this area could lead to the development of effective preventive and therapeutic interventions, ultimately benefiting patients with liver injury caused by medicine.