Decreased oxidative stress in prehepatic portal hypertensive rat livers following the induction of diabetes

Frankincense diterpenes as a bio-source for drug discovery

INTRODUCTION

Frankincense (Boswellia sp.) gum resins have been employed as an incense in cultural and religious ceremonies for many years. Frankincense resin has over the years been employed to treat depression, inflammation, and cancer in traditional medicines.

AREAS COVERED

This inclusive review focuses on the significance of frankincense diterpenoids, and in particular, incensole derivatives for establishment future treatments of depression, neurological disorders, and cancer. The authors survey the available literature and furnish an overview of future perspectives of these intriguing molecules.

EXPERT OPINION

Numerous diterpenoids including cembrane, prenylaromadendrane, and the verticillane-type have been isolated from various Boswellia resins. Cembrane-type diterpenoids occupy a crucial position in pharmaceutical chemistry and related industries because of their intriguing biological and encouraging pharmacological potentials. Several cembranes have been reported to possess anti-Alzheimer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antimalarial effects along with a good possibility to treat anxiety and depression. Although some slight drawbacks of these compounds have been noted, including the selectivity of these diterpenoids, there is a great need to address these in future research endeavors. Moreover, it is vitally important for medicinal chemists to prepare libraries of incensole-heterocyclic analogs as well as hybrid compounds between incensole or its acetate and anti-depressant or anti-inflammatory drugs.

The Effects of Incensole Acetate on Neuro-inflammation, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Memory Impairment Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Incensole acetate (IA) is a major component of Boswellia serrata resin that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and neuroprotective properties. The present study determined the effect of IA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced memory impairment, and hippocampal cytokines and oxidative stress indicators level. We used 32 Wistar rats (220-250 g weight) randomly divided into four groups. The control group, which only received the saline-diluted DMSO (vehicle); LPS group which received LPS and was treated with the vehicle; and two IA-treated groups which received 2.5 or 5 mg/ kg IA before LPS injection. Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) tests were performed. Finally, the brains were removed and were used to assess cytokines levels and oxidative stress status. Compared to the LPS group, IA administration reduced the time spent and path traveled to reach the hidden platform during 5 days of learning in MWM while increased the time spent in the target quadrant in the probe test. Moreover, IA increased latency while decreased entry number and time spent in the dark chamber of PA test compared to the LPS group. Additionally, pre-treatment with IA attenuated interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites levels while increased those of IL-10, total thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Our results indicated that IA improved LPS-induced learning and memory impairments. The observed effects seem to be mediated via a protective activity against neuro-inflammation and brain tissue oxidative damage and through improving BDNF.

Antioxidant role of heme oxygenase-1 in prehepatic portal hypertensive rats

AIM

To study the effect of bilirubin on the oxidative liver status and the activity and expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in rat liver injury induced by prehepatic portal hypertension.

METHODS

Wistar male rats, weighing 200-250 g, were divided at random into two groups: one group with prehepatic portal hypertension (PH) induced by regulated prehepatic portal vein ligation (PPVL) and the other group corresponded to sham operated rats. Portal pressure, oxidative stress parameters, antioxidant enzymes, HO-1 activity and expression and hepatic sinusoidal vasodilatation were measured.

RESULTS

In PPVL rats oxidative stress was evidenced by a marked increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content and a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. The activities of liver antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were also diminished while activity and expression of HO-1 were enhanced. Administration of bilirubin (5 mumol/kg body weight) 24 h before the end of the experiment entirely prevented all these effects. Pretreatment with Sn-protoporphyrin IX (Sn-PPIX) (100 mug/kg body weight, i.p.), a potent inhibitor of HO, completely abolished the oxidative stress and provoked a slight decrease in liver GSH levels as well as an increase in lipid peroxidation. Besides, carbon monoxide, another heme catabolic product, induced a significant increase in sinusoidal hepatic areas in PPVL group. Pretreatment of PPVL rats with Sn-PPIX totally prevented this effect.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest a beneficial role of HO-1 overexpression in prehepatic portal hypertensive rats.

Heme oxygenase attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation, and increases VEGF expression in portal hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The pathophysiological significance of heme oxygenase-1 up-regulation in portal hypertension is not completely understood. In this study, we determined the role of heme oxygenase-1 on oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, and splanchnic hemodynamics in rats with portal hypertension induced by partial portal vein ligation.

METHODS

Rats were treated with the heme oxygenase inhibitor SnMP or vehicle for 7 days. Then, oxidative stress was quantified by superoxide anion production, and inflammatory response was assessed by immunofluorescence. Expression of angiogenesis mediators was determined by western blotting, and the extent of portosystemic collaterals by radioactive microspheres. Hemodynamic studies were performed by flowmetry.

RESULTS

Oxidative stress was significantly increased in the mesentery of portal hypertensive rats, as compared with sham-operated controls. In portal hypertensive rats, chronic heme oxygenase inhibition (1) potentiated oxidative stress and inflammation, (2) significantly decreased VEGF expression, without modifying the extent of collaterals or the splanchnic neovascularization, and (3) significantly decreased superior mesenteric artery blood flow and portal pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that heme oxygenase plays an important (beneficial) role attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation, but it also plays a detrimental role in stimulating VEGF production, and contributing to the development of hyperdynamic splanchnic circulation in rats with portal hypertension.

Oxidative stress in portal hypertension-induced rats with particular emphasis on nitric oxide and trace metals

AIM: To investigate the oxidative-stress-related changes in rats with portal hypertension with particular emphasis on nitric oxide (NO) and trace metals.

METHODS: Cirrhosis was induced by partial portal vein ligation (PVL) in Wistar rats. The lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde, MDA), antioxidant defense enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and agents known to have antioxidant features including nitric oxide (NO), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) were determined both in serum and in liver tissue at 4 wk after surgery in PVL and sham-operated rats. Portal pressure of all experimental animals was measured. MDA was detected by thiobarbituric acid reactivity assay. SOD activity was determined by inhibition of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction with xanthine/xanthine oxidase used as a superoxide generator. CAT activity was determined by the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. GSH concentrations were measured by using metaphosphoric acid for protein precipitation and 5’-5’-dithio-bis-2-nitrobenzoic acid for color development. NO was detected by the Griess method after reduction of nitrate to nitrite with nitrate reductase, and the concentrations of Zn and Cu were measured by a Shimadzu 680 AA atomic absorption spectrometer. Histopathological confirmation was done under light microscope. Statistical analyses were done by Student’s t-test, and significance of the difference was tested by the unpaired Mann-Whitney test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Histopathological studies confirmed PVL-induced cirrhotic changes. There was a statistically significant difference in portal pressure between PVL and control groups (P<0.001). The results showed significant increases in the levels of MDA and NO in both tissue and serum (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively in tissue; P<0.001 for each in serum), and Zn only in tissue (P<0.001) in rats with PVL compared with sham-operated rats. Besides, PVL rats exhibited reduced plasma and tissue GSH, CAT, SOD (P<0.001 for each). Serum and tissue Cu concentration did not change.

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that PVL in rats induces important biochemical and molecular changes related to oxidative stress in the liver.