Ellagic acid as a potential antioxidant, alleviates methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats

Should combined MTX and CoQ10 use be reconsidered in terms of steatosis? A biochemical, flow cytometry, histopathological experimental study

In the present study, the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is widely used in daily life, on the methotrexate (MTX)-induced hepatotoxicity, which is widely used today in malignancies and autoimmune diseases, were examined. Twenty-four female Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. The group 1 (n = 6) was given 1 mL corn oil by oral gavage (p.o.) during seven days. Group 2 was given 20 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) MTX only on the first day of the experiment. Group 3 was given 20 mg/kg (i.p.) MTX on the first day of the experiment and 100 mg/kg CoQ10 dissolved in 1 mL corn oil were given by oral gavage during seven days, and group 4 was given 100 mg/kg CoQ10 dissolved in 1 mL corn oil by oral gavage during seven days. At the end of experiment, all animals were euthanized under anesthesia. In the liver tissue, histopathologic analysis on the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson trichrome, and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stained sections, apoptotic analysis (% Annexin V positivity) by flow cytometry, and biochemical analysis for oxidative stress markers (GSH, CAT, and TBARS) was performed. According to histopathological analysis, apoptosis, concession, fibrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration increased in the MTX group and those results significantly decreased in the MTX + CoQ10 groups. As an interesting result, fatty degeneration and TBARS elevation were observed in the MTX + CoQ10 group. As a result, although CoQ10 has protective effects on MTX-induced hepatotoxicity, fatty degeneration due to the combined usage of MTX and CoQ10 should be investigated with further studies.

Investigation on the mechanisms by which the herbal remedies induce anti-prostate cancer activity: uncovering the most practical natural compound

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most reported cancers among men worldwide. Targeting the essential proteins associated with PCa could be a promising method for cancer treatment. Traditional and herbal remedies (HRs) are the most practical approaches for PCa treatment. Here, the proteins and enzymes associated with PCa were determined based on the information obtained from the DisGeNET database. The proteins with a gene-disease association (GDA) score greater than 0.7 and the genes that have a disease specificity index (DSI) = 1 were selected as the target proteins. 28 HRs with anti-PCa activity as a traditional treatment for PCa were chosen as potential bioactive compounds. More than 500 compound-protein complexes were screened to find the top-ranked bioactives. The results were further evaluated using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and binding free energy calculations. The outcomes revealed that procyanidin B2 3,3'-di-O-gallate (B2G2), the most active ingredient of grape seed extract (GSE), can act as an agonist for PTEN. PTEN has a key role in suppressing PCa cells by applying phosphatase activity and inhibiting cell proliferation. B2G2 exhibited a considerable binding affinity to PTEN (11.643 kcal/mol). The MD results indicated that B2G2 could stabilize the key residues of the phosphatase domain of PTEN and increase its activity. Based on the obtained results, the active ingredient of GSE, B2G2, could play an agonist role and effectively increase the phosphatase activity of PTEN. The grape seed extract is a useful nutrition that can be used in men's diets to inhibit PCa in their bodies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Rosmarinic Acid Protects the Testes of Rats against Cell Phone and Ultra-high Frequency Waves Induced Toxicity

Background

Cell phone and Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) waves produce oxidative stress and cause testicular toxicity. This investigation was directed to evaluate the effectiveness of Rosmarinic Acid (RA) against oxidative stress caused by UHF radiation in rats.

Methods

Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. The control received 5 mL normal saline (0.9% NaCl) by gavage, the cell phone group received 915 MHz, the UHF waves group just received 2450 MHz, the RA/cell phone group received RA plus 915 MHz, RA/UHF waves group received RA plus 2450 MHz, and RA just received RA (20 mg/kg). After 30 days of consecutive radiation, the biochemical and histopathological parameters of their testes were measured. Statistical comparison was made using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test.

Results

Cell phone and UHF wave radiation significantly diminished the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione content (P<0.001). On the opposite, UHF significantly increased oxidative stress indices including malondialdehyde level, nitric oxide level, and protein carbonyl content (P<0.001). UHF also significantly reduced the number of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, primary spermatocyte, epithelial height, and seminiferous tubular and luminal diameters (P<0.001). RA, as an effective antioxidant, reverses the above-mentioned harms and moderates the adverse effects of UHF on the testes of rats by significantly diminishing the oxidative stress indices and antioxidant enzyme rise and improving the histological parameters (P<0.001).

Conclusion

RA can protect the testes of rats from UHF-induced toxicity by reducing oxidative stress. RA as a food supplement might be useful for protecting humans exposed to UHF environmental contamination.

Tracing the pathways and mechanisms involved in the anti-breast cancer activity of glycyrrhizin using bioinformatics tools and computational methods

A complete investigation to understand the pathways that could be affected by glycyrrhizin (licorice), as anti-breast cancer (BC) agent, has not been performed to date. This study aims to investigate the pathways involved in the anti-cancer activity of glycyrrhizin against BC. For this purpose, the target genes of glycyrrhizin were obtained from the ChEMBL database. The BC-associated genes for three types of BC (breast carcinoma, malignant neoplasm of breast, and triple-negative breast neoplasms) were retrieved from DisGeNET. The target genes of glycyrrhizin and the BC-associated genes were compared, and the genes with disease specificity index (DSI) > 0.6 were selected for further evaluation using in silico methods. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were analyzed. The potential complexes were further evaluated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The results revealed that among 80 common genes, ten genes had DSI greater than 0.6, which included POLK, TACR2, MC3R, TBXAS1, HH1R, SLCO4A1, NPY2R, ADRA2C, ADRA1A, and SLCO2B1. The binding affinity of glycyrrhizin to the cognate proteins and binding characteristics were assessed using molecular docking and binding free energy calculations (MM/GBSA). POLK, TBXAS1, and ADRA1A showed the highest binding affinity with -8.9, -9.3, and -9.6 kcal/mol, respectively. The final targets had an association with BC at several stages of tumor growth. By affecting these targets, glycyrrhizin could influence and control BC efficiently. MD simulation suggested the pathways triggered by the complex glycyrrhizin-ADRA1A were more likely to happen.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Antioxidant-Based Preventive Effect of Phytochemicals on Anticancer Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Significance: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) or hepatotoxicity has been a hot issue to overcome on the safety and physiological function of the liver, since it is known to have biochemical, cellular, immunological, and molecular alterations in the liver mainly induced by alcohol, chemicals, drugs, heavy metals, and genetic factors. Recently efficient therapeutic and preventive strategies by some phytochemicals are of interest, targeting oxidative stress-mediated hepatotoxicity alone or in combination with anticancer drugs. Recent Advances: To assess DILI, the variety of in vitro and in vivo animal models has been developed mainly by using carbon tetrachloride, d-galactosamine, acetaminophen, and lipopolysaccharide. Also, the mechanisms on hepatotoxicity by several drugs and herbs have been explored in detail. Recent studies reveal that antioxidants including vitamins and some phytochemicals were reported to prevent against DILI. Critical Issues: Antioxidant therapy with some phytochemicals is noteworthy, since oxidative stress is critically involved in DILI via production of chemically reactive oxygen species or metabolites, impairment of mitochondrial respiratory chain, and induction of redox cycling. Future Directions: For efficient antioxidant therapy, DILI susceptibility, Human Leukocyte Antigen genetic factors, biomarkers, and pathogenesis implicated in hepatotoxicity should be further explored in association with oxidative stress-mediated signaling, while more randomized preclinical and clinical trials are required with optimal safe doses of drugs and/or phytochemicals alone or in combination for efficient clinical practice along with the development of advanced DILI diagnostic tools.

Ellagic acid attenuates beryllium sulphate-induced oxidative stress and histopathological alterations of spleen in rats

CONTEXT

Ellagic acid (EA) is a phenolic constituent in certain fruits and has largely been recognized for its role as an antioxidant compound.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of EA on beryllium sulphate-induced splenic toxicity in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The first group was used as control. Group 2 was exposed to BeSO₄ (12 mg/kg, b.w.). Groups 3 and 4 were treated with EA (100 and 300 mg/kg, b.w.) daily for 6 weeks after exposing to BeSO₄ (12 mg/kg, b.w.). Various biochemical and molecular biomarkers were assessed in blood and spleen.

RESULTS

BeSO₄-intoxicated rats showed significant higher WBC (6.74 ± 0.20 × 10⁹/L vs. 11.02 ± 1.31 × 10⁹/L, p < 0.05), Neu (1.14 ± 0.11 × 10⁹/L vs. 2.45 ± 0.42 × 10⁹/L, p < 0.05), Lym (3.80 ± 0.83 × 10⁹/L vs. 9.64 ± 1.99 × 10⁹/L, p < 0.05), and PLT (868.4 ± 43.2 × 10⁹/L vs. 1408 ± 77.57 × 10⁹/L, p < 0.05) than normal control animals. Moreover, an increase in MDA with depletion of GSH and SOD activity (all p < 0.05) occurred in the spleen of rats treated with BeSO₄. Furthermore, BeSO₄-treated rats displayed significantly higher levels of apoptotic markers (Bax, Caspase-3, PARP) (all p < 0.05). EA administration resulted in a significant reversal of hematological and apoptotic markers in beryllium sulphate-intoxicated rats.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest EA treatment exerts a significant protective effect on BeSO₄-induced splenic toxicity in rats.

Ellagic acid: insight into its protective effects in age-associated disorders

The disparity in the free radical generation and the production of antioxidants to counteract its effect is known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress causes damage to the macromolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and DNA and RNA. The oxidative damage to the cellular components leads to a process of aging and various age-associated disorders. The literature survey for this review was done using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. The papers showing the studies related to aging and age-associated disorders have been selected for reviewing this paper. Ellagic acid has been used as the keyword, and more emphasis has been put on papers from the last 10 years. However, some papers with significant studies prior to 10 years have also been considered. Almost 250 papers have been studied for reviewing this paper, and about 135 papers have been cited. Ellagic acid (EA) is present in high quantities in pomegranate and various types of berries. It is known to possess the antioxidant potential and protects from the harmful effects of free radicals. Various studies have shown its effect to protect cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, cancer, and diabetes. The present review focuses on the protective effect of ellagic acid in age-associated disorders. The effect of EA has been studied in various chronic disorders but the scope of this review is limited to cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. All the disease aspects have not been addressed in this particular review.

Glabridin Plays Dual Action to Augment the Efficacy and Attenuate the Hepatotoxicity of Methotrexate in Arthritic Rats

Glabridin is chemically an isoflavane class of natural phenols and is found mainly in the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra. It has several beneficial pharmacological actions for the management of inflammatory disorders as well as can counteract drug-induced toxic effects. On the other hand, methotrexate (MTX) is the first-line disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, its treatment is associated with major side effects like hepatotoxicity. In the quest to explore a suitable combination therapy that can improve the efficacy and reduce the hepatotoxicity of MTX, we hypothesized that glabridin might serve the purpose for which there is no literature precedent to date. We explored the antiarthritic efficacy of MTX in the presence or the absence of glabridin using Mycobacterium-induced arthritic model in rats. The results of reduction in paw swelling, inhibition of serum cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), and improvement in the bone joints from radiological and histopathological findings suggest that glabridin can substantially augment the antiarthritic efficacy of MTX. Further, results of concomitant glabridin treatment with MTX in the experimental time frame demonstrate that glabridin could considerably prevent the MTX-induced hepatic alteration in serum biochemical markers (SGPT and SGOT) and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione reduced (GSH)). Moreover, glabridin showed a marked effect in impeding the regulation of NF-κB/IκBα and Nrf2/Keap1 pathways in the hepatic tissues. The results of simultaneous administration of glabridin with MTX in the rat model indicate that glabridin had no pronounced effect of causing severe alteration in the pharmacokinetic behavior of MTX. In summary, glabridin can significantly potentiate the antiarthritic efficacy of MTX and can also minimize its hepatotoxicity via the inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress. Further research should be performed to develop glabridin as a phytotherapeutics for the improved efficacy and better tolerability of MTX at the reduced dose level of MTX.

Attenuation of methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity by epigallocatechin 3-gallate

Methotrexate (MTX) is currently used as first-line therapy for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and systemic lupus erythematous. However, its use is limited by its hepatotoxic potential. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an abundant catechin present in tea possesses potent antioxidant activity and effectively ameliorates oxidative stress-related disorders. This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective influence of EGCG in a MTX-induced rat model of hepatotoxicity. Sprague Dawley rats pretreated with EGCG (40 mg kg^-1 b.w., p.o.) were administered a single dose of MTX (20 mg kg^-1 b.w., i.p.) and its hepatoprotective efficacy compared with folic acid (1 mg kg^-1 b.w., i.p.). On day 10, blood samples were collected to determine plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), while the livers were examined for histopathogical changes along with levels of oxidative stress measured in terms of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, protein carbonylation (PCO), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and activities of cellular enzymatic antioxidants - superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). MTX significantly increased the plasma levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH, which were prevented by pretreatment with EGCG, and was corroborated by histopathology. Additionally, MTX-induced hepatic oxidative stress as measured by increased generation of MPO, enhanced PCO, LPO, and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes was mitigated by pretreatment with EGCG. The amelioration of MTX-induced hepatotoxicity by EGCG endorsed the inclusion of an anti-oxidant during chronic administration of MTX.

Epicatechin ameliorative effects on methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

BACKGROUND

Due to the fact that methotrexate is widely used both as an immunosuppressive drug and as a chemotherapy agent, many studies are needed to reduce the side effects of this drug on non-target organs.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to investigate the effects of epicatechin (Epi) on MTX (methotrexate)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

RESEARCH DESIGN

After 1 week for adaptation, we randomly divided 42 male Naval Medical Research Institute mice into six groups: (I) control; (II) Epi (100 mg/kg, po); (III) MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p.) on the fifth day; and (IV, V, and VI) Epi (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, po) + MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p.) on the fifth day. At day 10, the mice were sacrificed and serum factors, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory cytokines were measured.

RESULTS

MTX increased activity level of serum enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde), and inflammatory factors including interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitric oxide. Furthermore, MTX decreased glutathione level and activity level of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Epi was able to reduce the destructive effects of oxidative/antioxidant system imbalance and inflammatory reactions and also histopathological damage in MTX intoxicated mice. Epi pretreatment reduced liver dysfunction by improving the antioxidant defense system, anti-inflammatory effects, and alleviation of histopathological damage in MTX hepatotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Accordingly, Epi can be used as a therapeutic agent in hepatotoxicity associated with MTX chemotherapy.

Hepatoprotective Effect and Potential Mechanism of Aqueous Extract from Phyllanthus emblica on Carbon-Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

Liver fibrosis is a pathological variation caused by almost all chronic liver injuries. As an edible and medicinal natural resource, Phyllanthus emblica (PE) has been reported to possess hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities and may have an ameliorating effect on hepatic fibrosis. To investigate the protective effect of the aqueous extract of PE (AEPE) against liver fibrosis and to uncover its related mechanisms, the chemical profile of AEPE was characterized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and sulfuric acid-phenol method. Ameliorative effects of different doses of AEPE were investigated in carbon-tetrachloride- (CCl₄-) induced liver fibrosis rats by analyzing biochemical markers, morphologic pathology, and related proteins expression in liver tissue. The results indicated that AEPE (1.8, 3.6 g/kg) could significantly reduce levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), collagen IV (Col IV), type III precollagen (PCIII), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), protein carbonyl (PC), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and hydroxyproline (Hyp) and increase the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT). Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Sirius red, and Masson staining showed AEPE-treated improved fibrotic lesions and inflammatory cell infiltration. Meanwhile, AEPE treatment also significantly downregulates the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the liver tissue and serum, respectively. In conclusion, AEPE possesses curative efficacy against liver fibrosis through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects.

Effect of raspberry extract on wound healing

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of raspberry extract on wound healing and compare it with that of ellagic acid. The elimination of excess free radicals was the key to preventing wound inflammation; cellular antioxidation activity was evaluated using an oxidative stress damage cell model. Cell proliferation ability was measured using the WST-1 assay, and the migration capacity was determined using the wound scratch assay. A mouse wound model was used to verify the effect of raspberry extract on wound healing. The cellular antioxidant activity of the extract ((50.31±3.17) μg/mL) was slightly lower than that of ellagic acid ((44.59±2.38) μg/mL). The results of a cell proliferation assay showed that both raspberry extract and ellagic acid at 5 μg/mL could significantly (P&lt;0.01) promote the proliferation of HaCaT cells. After culturing for 24 h and 48 h, the cell healing rates of the extract were (41.11±0.38) per cent and (68.88±2.51) per cent, respectively, whereas the corresponding rates of ellagic acid were (39.01±2.40) per cent and (70.33±0.89) per cent; hence, there were no significant differences between them (P&gt;0.05). The wound areas of mice fed low, medium, and high doses of raspberry extract for 14 days were 1.66, 1.41, and 1.24 mm2, respectively, which were significantly lower than that of the blank control group, 2.18 mm2 (P&lt;0.05). These findings indicate that raspberry extract and ellagic acid exhibit similar antioxidant capacities and equivalent cell proliferation-promoting capabilities. In the mouse test, raspberry extract effectively promoted a reduction in wound area. This work demonstrates the potential of raspberry extract in wound healing, suggesting a promising application of raspberry resources in the fields of functional foods, cosmetics, and medicine.

Ellagic Acid Resensitizes Gemcitabine-Resistant Bladder Cancer Cells by Inhibiting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Gemcitabine Transporters

Simple Summary

Chemoresistance of bladder cancer has become a major obstacle to clinical treatment, especially in first-line treatments involving gemcitabine (GCB). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is highly correlated with GCB resistance but less correlated with GCB metabolism and less reported as a novel therapeutic strategy. Our findings indicated that EMT-related GCB resistance occurs through the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways and involves repressed expression of the GCB transporters hCNT1 and hENT1. Ellagic acid (EA) combined with GCB intensified the chemosensitivity of GCB in resistant cells by repressing Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 expression and rescuing hCNT1 and hENT transcription. These data suggest that EA is a good adjuvant agent for blocking TGF-β/Smad signaling-related GCB resistance in bladder cancer.

Abstract

Gemcitabine (GCB) resistance is a major issue in bladder cancer chemoresistance, but its underlying mechanism has not been determined. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to be comprehensively involved in GCB resistance in several other cancer types, but the direct connection between EMT and GCB remains unclear. This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism of EMT-related GCB resistance in bladder cancer and identify a potential phytochemical to modulate drug sensitivity. The biological effects of ellagic acid (EA) or its combined effects with GCB were compared in GCB-resistant cells and the GCB-sensitive line in terms of cell viability, apoptosis, motility, and in vivo tumorigenicity. The molecular regulation of EMT-related GCB resistance was evaluated at both the mRNA and protein expression levels. Our results indicated that TGF-β/Smad induced the overactivation of EMT in GCB-resistant cells and reduced the expression of GCB influx transporters (hCNT1 and hENT1). Moreover, ellagic acid (EA) inhibited the TGF-β signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo by reducing Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 expression and thereby resensitized GCB sensitivity. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that TGF-β/Smad-induced EMT contributes to GCB resistance in bladder cancer by reducing GCB influx and also elucidate the novel mechanisms of EA-mediated inhibition of TGF-β/Smad-induced EMT to overcome GCB resistance. Our study warrants further investigation of EA as an effective therapeutic adjuvant agent for overcoming GCB resistance in bladder cancer.

Attenuation of Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Wistar Rats by Combination Treatment of Two Natural Phenolic Compounds: Quercetin and Gallic Acid

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of two potent natural antioxidants, gallic acid and quercetin as single or combination treatment against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). A total of 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group 1 and 2 intratracheally received saline and bleomycin (7.5 UI/kg), respectively, on day 7, accompanied by oral saline administration for 28 day. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received a single dose of bleomycin on day 7, accompanied by oral administration of gallic acid, quercetin, and their combination, respectively, for 28 day. Finally, the lungs were removed for biochemical and histopathological tests. The combination treatment demonstrated a remarkable decrease in lung hydroxyproline and TNF-α level and increase in catalase activity as compared with both single phytochemical-treated groups. The combination treatment significantly enhanced lung SOD activity and GSH level and decreased NO and IL-6 levels as compared with quercetin-treated group. However, only combination treatment could decrease the lung index and completely reversed histopathological changes in the bleomycin-treated group. In sum, when compared to a single exposure, the combination treatment might be a more effective approach for PF treatment because of its superior efficacy in reversing lung histological changes in the bleomycin-treated group.

Ferulic acid prevents oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver injury via upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in methotrexate-induced rats

Liver injury is one of the adverse effects of methotrexate (MTX). Ferulic acid (FA) is an antioxidant phytochemical that confers hepatoprotective efficacy; however, its effect against MTX hepatotoxicity remains unexplored. This study investigated the role of FA in modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, Nrf2/HO-1 signaling, and PPARγ in MTX-administered rats. Following oral FA supplementation for 15 days, rats received a single dose of MTX at day 16 and samples were collected at day 19. MTX provoked multiple histological manifestations, including degenerative changes, steatosis, inflammatory cells infiltration and hemorrhage, and altered serum transaminases, bilirubin, and albumin. Reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide were increased in the liver of rats that received MTX. FA prevented all histological alterations, ameliorated liver function markers, suppressed oxidative stress, and boosted antioxidants in MTX-induced rats. FA reduced serum TNF-α and IL-1β, and hepatic NF-κB p65, Bax, and caspase-3, whereas increased Bcl-2, Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, and PPARγ. In conclusion, FA prevented MTX hepatotoxicity by activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and PPARγ, and attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death.

Ellagic Acid Prevents Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Histopathological Alterations in Acrylamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

The present study was designed to investigate the changes in rat liver tissue after administration of acrylamide (ACR) and ellagic acid (EA). The latter compound was applied for its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups. These groups were normal saline (NS), ACR (20 mg/kg), ACR + EA (10 and 30 mg/kg EA), and EA (30 mg/kg). At the end of the experiment, the rats were decapitated. Biochemical and histopathological studies were conducted on liver and serum samples. ACR administration significantly decreased hepatic GSH level, SOD, GPx, and CAT activity when compared to the NS group. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), nitric oxide (NO), protein carbonyl (PC), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) levels increased as a result of ACR administration. Administration of EA (more potently at a dose of 30 mg/kg) resulted in a significant reversal of biochemical, inflammatory, and hepatic markers in ACR-intoxicated rats. These biochemical and inflammatory disturbances were supported by histopathological observations of the liver. Our results indicate that EA might be useful for the treatment of the hepatotoxicity induced by ACR via ameliorative effects on biochemical, oxidative stress, and inflammatory indices.