Effects of red ginseng on the regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 of spleen cells in whole-body gamma irradiated mice

Citicoline modulates inflammatory signaling pathways in the spleen of rats exposed to gamma-radiation

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The spleen has an essential role in immune responses regulation and is considered the biggest peripheral immune organ. Citicoline is used for various brain disorders management. This study aimed to examine the using possibility of citicoline to treat γ-radiation-induced splenic inflammation in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen male albino rats were classified into: Group 1 (control) animals were kept as control. Group 2 (γ-radiation) animals were total-body γ-irradiated with 6 Gy. Group 3 (γ-radiation + citicoline) rats were γ-irradiated with 6 Gy, then injected intraperitoneally with citicoline (300 mg/kg/d) 5 min after irradiation for one week. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS, NF-κB, JAK2, and STAT3 were determined in spleen tissue, along with histopathological examination.

RESULTS

Rats exposure to gamma-radiation led to elevation in splenic TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, iNOS, JAK2, and STAT3 levels significantly. Treatment with citicoline after gamma-radiation exposure improved this elevation, and modulated gamma-radiation-induced histopathological alterations.

CONCLUSIONS

This data showed that citicoline inhibited γ-radiation-induced splenic inflammation via suppressing NF-κB and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways in spleen tissue.

Review of the Efficacy and Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicines as a Therapeutic Option for Ionizing Radiation Induced Damage

Ionizing radiation damage refers to acute, delayed, or chronic tissue damage associated with ionizing radiation. Specific or effective therapeutic options for systemic injuries induced by ionizing radiation have not been developed. Studies have shown that Chinese herbal Medicine or Chinese Herbal Prescription exhibit preventive properties against radiation damage. These medicines inhibit tissue injuries and promote repair with very minimal side effects. This study reviews traditional Chinese herbal medicines and prescriptions with radiation protective effects as well as their mechanisms of action. The information obtained will guide the development of alternative radioprotectants.

Detoxification effects of aloe polysaccharide and propolis on the urinary excretion of metabolites in smokers

The aim of the present study was to investigate the detoxifying effects of aloe polysaccharide (APS), propolis, and the mixture of APS and propolis on the urinary excretion of major human tobacco carcinogens, BaP and an addictive stimulant alkaloid, nicotine. Smokers (≥20 cigarettes/day) were randomly classified into four subgroups (10 people/group) and were given 600 mg/day of APS, 600 mg/day of propolis, or 600 mg/day of the mixture of APS (420 mg/day) and propolis (180 mg/day) for four weeks. Urinary excretion of BaP and cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) increased in a time-dependent manner increased after supplementation with APS (BaP, 2.23-fold; cotinine, 2.64-fold), propolis (BaP, 1.30-fold; cotinine, 2.08-fold), and the mixture (BaP, 2.33-fold; cotinine, 2.28-fold) compared with smoker control. Creatinine, glucose, and total bilirubin levels significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner after supplementation with APS (creatinine, 15.24%; glucose, 40.22%; total bilirubin, 48.82%), propolis (creatinine, 16.83%; glucose, 36.25%; total bilirubin, 52.59%), and the mixture (creatinine, 16.36%; glucose, 46.37%; total bilirubin, 39.20%) (p < 0.05). These results suggest that supplementation with APS, propolis, or the mixture could reduce the risk of cancer or other diseases associated with tobacco smoking by enhancing urinary excretion of BaP and nicotine.

Dose-Dependent Increase of Nrf2 Target Gene Expression in Mice Exposed to Ionizing Radiation

Nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 transcription factor (Nrf2) is activated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and binds to antioxidant response elements in the promoter regions of its target genes involved in redox regulation and antioxidative functions. In this study, we elucidated the relationship between radiation dose and the expression response of Nrf2 target genes involved in oxidative stress, such as heme oxygenase 1, ferritin heavy polypeptide 1 ( Fth1), NADPH dehydrogenase quinone 1, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit, glutathione reductase ( Gsr) and thioredoxin reductase 1 genes, in peripheral blood from X-ray irradiated mice. Whole-body radiation doses ranged from 0.5 to 3 Gy, and gene expressions were analyzed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A significant relationship was observed only for one gene: a statistically significant positive correlation between radiation dose and Fth1 mRNA expression was detected. However, Fth1 did not show any correlations with the biological damages induced by radiation tested in this study. Furthermore, while Gsr expression was significantly associated with spleen weight loss, splenic cell number reduction and bone marrow cell death apoptosis, no significant correlation was observed between Gsr expression and radiation dose. Together these results indicate that Nrf2 target gene expression is closely related to radiation dose and its level may reflect biological damages induced by ionizing radiation. These findings suggest the possibility for application of these target genes as a bio-dosimeter and/or damage marker in individuals exposed to ionizing radiation.

Etoricoxib inhibits peripheral inflammation and alters immune responses in intracerebroventricular colchicine injected rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of etoricoxib induced inhibition of neuroinflammation by studying the peripheral inflammatory markers and select immune parameters in intracerebroventricular colchicine injected rats (ICIR). Results showed time dependent upregulation of the inflammatory markers in the serum along with alterations of peripheral immune parameters in ICIR and dose-dependent recovery was observed upon administration of etoricoxib to ICIR; most of these effects were greater with the longer duration of study. The present study indicates that colchicine induced neuroinflammation may cause systemic inflammation and alteration of immune responses which are mediated by increased cox- 2 activity.

Effects of traditional oriental medicines as anti-cytotoxic agents in radiotherapy

The primary goal of radiotherapy in oncology is to enhance the efficacy of tumor cell death while decreasing damage to surrounding normal cells. Positive therapeutic outcomes may be accomplished by improved targeting, precisely targeting tumor cells or protecting normal cells against radiation-induced damage. The potential for antioxidants to decrease normal tissue damage induced by radiation has been investigated in animal models for a number of decades. In attempts for radioprotection, certain synthetic chemicals are suggested as antioxidants and normal tissue protectors against radiation-induced damage, but they have exhibited limitations in pharmacological application due to undesirable effects and high toxicities at clinical doses. The present review focuses on the radioprotective efficacy of traditional oriental medicines with the advantage of low toxicity at pharmacological doses and how such treatments may influence various harmful effects induced by radiation in vitro and in vivo. In addition, medicinal plants and their active constituents with biological activities that may be associated with alleviation of radiation-induced damage through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing and immunostimulatory properties are discussed.

Pine polyphenols from Pinus koraiensis prevent injuries induced by gamma radiation in mice

Pine polyphenols (PPs) are bioactive dietary constituents that enhance health and help prevent diseases through antioxidants. Antioxidants reduce the level of oxidative damages caused by ionizing radiation (IR). The main purpose of this paper is to study the protective effect of PPs on peripheral blood, liver and spleen injuries in mice induced by IR. ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) male mice were administered orally with PPs (200 mg/kg b.wt.) once daily for 14 consecutive days prior to 7 Gy γ-radiations. PPs showed strong antioxidant activities. PPs significantly increased white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets counts. PPs also significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidases, and the level of glutathione. PPs reduced the spleen morphologic injury. In addition, PPs inhibited mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathways in splenocytes induced by IR. These results indicate that PPs are radioprotective promising reagents.

Protective effect of Korean Red Ginseng against chemotherapeutic drug-induced premature catagen development assessed with human hair follicle organ culture model

Background

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is one of the most distressing side effects for patients undergoing chemotherapy. This study evaluated the protective effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on CIA in a well-established in vitro human hair follicle organ culture model as it occurs in vivo.

Methods

We examined whether KRG can prevent premature hair follicle dystrophy in a human hair follicle organ culture model during treatment with a key cyclophosphamide metabolite, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC).

Results

4-HC inhibited human hair growth, induced premature catagen development, and inhibited proliferation and stimulated apoptosis of hair matrix keratinocytes. In addition, 4-HC increased p53 and Bax protein expression and decreased Bcl2 protein expression. Pretreatment with KRG protected against 4-HC-induced hair growth inhibition and premature catagen development. KRG also suppressed 4-HC-induced inhibition of matrix keratinocyte proliferation and stimulation of matrix keratinocyte apoptosis. Moreover, KRG restored 4-HC-induced p53 and Bax/Bcl2 expression.

Conclusion

Overall, our results indicate that KRG may protect against 4-HC-induced premature catagen development through modulation of p53 and Bax/Bcl2 expression.