Aqueous Date Flesh or Pits Extract Attenuates Liver Fibrosis via Suppression of Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Reduction of Inflammatory Cytokines, Transforming Growth Factor- β 1 and Angiogenic Markers in Carbon Tetrachloride-Intoxicated Rats

Effectiveness of supplementation with date seed (Phoenix dactylifera) as a functional food on inflammatory markers, muscle damage, and BDNF following high-intensity interval training: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

PURPOSE

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is one of the most effective protocols, even though acute HIIT causes inflammatory and oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of date seeds powder (DSP) during HIIT sessions on inflammation markers, oxidants and antioxidants, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), exercise-induced muscle damage, and body composition.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-six recreational runners (men and women), aged 18-35 years, were randomly assigned to consume 26 g/day of DSP or wheat bran powder during HIIT workouts for a period of 14 days. At baseline, at the end of the intervention, and 24 h after the intervention, blood samples were obtained to determine inflammatory, oxidant/antioxidant, and muscle damage markers, as well as BDNF.

RESULTS

DSP supplementation resulted in a significant downward trend in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Psupplement × time = 0.036), tumor necrosis factor alpha (Psupplement × time = 0.010), interleukin-6 (Psupplement × time = 0.047), malondialdehyde (Psupplement × time = 0.046), creatine kinase (Psupplement × time = 0.045), and lactate dehydrogenase (Psupplement × time = 0.040) after the intervention, as well as a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (Psupplement × time ≤ 0.001). However, interleukin-10 (Psupplement × time = 0.523), interleukin-6/interleukin-10 (Psupplement × time = 0.061), BDNF (Psupplement × time = 0.160), and myoglobin (Psupplement × time = 0.095) levels did not change significantly in comparison to the placebo group. Moreover, analysis demonstrated that DSP supplementation over 2 weeks had no significant effect on body composition.

CONCLUSION

During the 2 weeks of the HIIT protocol, the consumption of date seed powder by participants who had engaged in moderate or high physical activity alleviated inflammation and muscle damage.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of TBZMED (No.IR.TBZMED.REC.1399.1011).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials website ( www.IRCt.ir/ , IRCT20150205020965N9).

Applications of date pits in foods to enhance their functionality and quality: A review

Summary of the abstract

Methanolic Phoenix dactylifera L. Extract Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Hepatic Injury in Male Rats

This study investigated the ameliorative potential of methanolic date flesh extract (MDFE) against cisplatin-induced hepatic injury. Twenty male rats (weighing 180-200 g) were allocated into four groups: control; date flesh (DF) group (oral 600 mg/kg MDFE for 21 days); Cis group (7.5 mg/kg i.p. at day 16); and date flesh/cisplatin (DF/Cis) group (oral 600 mg/kg MDFE for 21 days and 7.5 mg/kg i.p. at day 16). Hepatic biochemical parameters in sera, and inflammatory and oxidant/antioxidant hepatic biomarkers were estimated. Hepatic histological changes and the immunohistochemistry of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were assessed. Pretreatment with MDFE decreased Cis-triggered liver biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, and histological damage. Moreover, MDFE treatment reduced Cis-induced hepatic NF-κB, COX-2, and α-SMA protein expression. MDFE exerted a hepatoprotective effect when used concomitantly with Cis. Its effect was mediated via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Trichoderma reesei fungal degradation boosted the potentiality of date pit extract in fighting scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity in male rats

Date pits are nutritious by-products, containing high levels of indigestible carbohydrates and polyphenols. To maximize the biological effects of the active ingredients, the hard shell of the polysaccharide must be degraded. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the protective potentials of date pits extract (DP) and fungal degraded date pits extract (FDDP) against scopolamine (SCO)-induced neurodegeneration in male rats. Date pits were subjected to fungal degradation and extraction, followed by the measurement of phytochemicals and free radical scavenging activities. Forty-two adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into seven groups: three control groups administered with either saline, DP or FDDP; four groups with neurodegeneration receiving SCO (ip 2 mg/kg/day, SCO group) with no treatment, SCO with DP (oral 100 mg/kg/day, DP + SCO group), SCO with FDDP (oral, 100 mg/kg/day, FDDP + SCO group), and SCO with donepezil (DON, oral, 2.25 mg/kg/day, DON + SCO group). The treatment duration was 28 days, and in the last 14 days, SCO was administered daily. Morris water maze test, acetylcholine esterase activity, oxidative stress, markers of inflammation and amyloidogenesis, and brain histopathology were assessed.

Putative abrogation impacts of Ajwa seeds on oxidative damage, liver dysfunction and associated complications in rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride

BACKGROUND

Industrial toxicants such as Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) are known to disrupt the oxidative-antioxidative balance, which generates excessive amounts of free radicals leading to chronic or acute liver damage. Natural antioxidants, including Ajwa, play an important role in protecting against hepatotoxicity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study investigated the prophylactic impacts of ajwa seeds aqueous extract (ASE) against hepatic oxidative injury in rats induced by CCl₄. Eighty male Wistar albino rats were equally assigned to eight groups: one group receive no treatment, four groups were received CCl₄-olive oil mixture [1:1(v/v)] (0.2 ml/100 g body weight (bw), intraperitoneally) two times/week for 4 weeks/rat alone or with 200 mg Vit. C/kg bw or 5 ml ASE/rat or both, and three groups received olive oil, Vit. C, or ASE. Vitamin C and ASE were orally administrated two weeks before CCl₄ injection and 4 weeks concomitant with CCl₄. Lipid peroxidation, lipogenesis-related genes, hepatic histopathology, Bax immunostaining and DNA fragmentation were assessed. ASE protected hepatic damage by suppressing oxidative stress and elevating activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and catalase. ASE also regulated hepatic dyslipidemia, hepatic lipid accumulation and expression of SREBP-1 and FAS genes in CCl₄-treated rats. ASE decreased apoptosis through inhibition of CCl₄ induced Bax activation in hepatocytes.

CONCLUSION

These observations provide evidence for the hepatoprotective potential of ASE via inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis and oxidative stress, suggesting being used as a natural product in attenuating CCl₄ induced oxidative damage, hepatotoxicity and associated dysfunction.

Chitosan nanoparticles as a promising candidate for liver injury induced by 2-nitropropane: Implications of P53, iNOS, VEGF, PCNA, and CD68 pathways

The current article was designed to assess the role of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) in the management of hepatic injury induced by the hepatocarcinogen 2-nitropropane (2-NP). Rats were divided into three groups. The first group served as a control, the second group was injected with 2-NP, while the third group was treated with CNPs 1 h before 2-NP injection every other day for 4 weeks. The 2-NP injection upregulated serum AST and ALT activities, as well as hepatic TNF- α, IL-6, and MDA levels and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and caspase-3, whereas GSH contents and SOD activity were decreased. Immunohistochemistry investigations revealed that the hepatic protein expression of collagen I, inducible nitric oxide synthetase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cluster of differentiation, and p53 were upregulated. hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome stains supported the previous parameters, and CNPs ameliorated most of the previous biochemical parameters. CNPs achieved promising results in the limitation of 2-NP hepatotoxicity.

Propolis nanoparticles modulate the inflammatory and apoptotic pathways in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and nephropathy in rats

This study assessed the use of emulsion-produced propolis nanoparticles for treating carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced liver fibrosis and nephropathy on albino rat model. The evaluation of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and the treatment outcomes involved biochemical investigations of blood samples as well as molecular analysis, and histopathological assessment for liver and kidney tissue samples. CCl4 treatment caused elevated biochemical indicators of hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects as detected by liver and kidney functions tests, which improved gradually with propolis nanoparticles treatment. The molecular studies showed an increase in transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), Nephrin, and Caspase-9, while Bcl-2 levels dropped in both liver and kidney tissue samples; such changes were normalized after treatment. The histological findings confirm both biochemical and molecular studies. Our results indicated that propolis nanoparticles had an anti-inflammatory effect as proved by decreased expression of TGF-β in liver tissue and Nephrin in kidney tissue. The propolis nanoparticles showed an anti-apoptotic effect on liver and kidney tissue increasing the expression of Bcl-2 and decreasing the expression of Caspase-9.

Dual prophylactic/therapeutic potential of date seed, and nigella and olive oils-based nutraceutical formulation in rats with experimentally-induced Alzheimer's disease: A mechanistic insight

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a multifactorial etiology and significantly increasing incidence during the last decade. Hence, developing an effective therapy is crucial for public health. The current study aimed to examine the dual prophylactic/therapeutic potential of a nutraceutical formula based on aqueous extract of roasted date seeds, and nigella and virgin-olive oils against experimentally-induced Alzheimer's disease in rats. Alzheimer's disease-like pathology was induced in male Wistar rats using oral CuSO₄ (200 mg/Kg/day for two months). The nutraceutical formula was given orally to experimental animals (10 mL/kg/d) for 14 days before (as prophylaxis) and after Alzheimer's disease induction and its therapeutic effect in both cases is tested in comparison to donepezil (0.5 mg/kg/d). The nutraceutical formula was found to ameliorate the CuSO₄-induced neuronal damage and regenerate the affected hippocampus tissue and significantly improvemed in learning ability. The formula was also effective in decreasing brain amyloid-β, tau protein, TNF-α level, iNOS level in hippocampus, oxidative stress level, and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity and expression in brain and hippocampus, respectively. Further, an increase in GSH levels, activities of SOD, and GST and levels of hippocampus ADAM 17 and brain phospholipids was observed. In conclusion, the studied nutraceutical formula is proved to be effective in ameliorating Alzheimer's neurodegenerative progression with added-prophylactic potential.

Mitigation of acetamiprid - induced renotoxicity by natural antioxidants via the regulation of ICAM, NF-kB and TLR 4 pathways

BACKGROUND

Acetamiprid (ACMP) is a member of the neonicotinoid group of insecticides. It is extensively used worldwide. The misuse of ACMP creates danger hazards to human and animal.

METHODS

ACMP induced renal damage evidenced by an increase in kidney injury biomarkers. So the goal of this work is to clarify the reno protective effect of Quercetin (Qrctn) and/or Nano-glutathione (N-Gluta) solely or in combination to counterbalance the danger effect of ACMP. All treatments with the previous agents were coadministered orally with ACMP for one month.

RESULTS

ACMP ingestion caused a significant rise in serum creatinin, urea, and uric acid, TNF α along with renal cystatin C, lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide with the concomitant decline in the levels of reduced glutathione and IL-10 levels. Protein expression of ICAM was upregulated as well as mRNA expression of NF-κB while mRNA expression of Nrf2 was down-regulated. Immune histochemistry of TLR 4 revealed strong immune reaction. The administration of Qrctn or N-Gluta either individually or together modulated all the preceding aforementioned parameters.

CONCLUSION

Fascinatingly Qrctn and N-Gluta combination was the most powerful regimen to frustrate ACMP reno-toxicity and may be deliberate as a hopeful applicant for renal therapy.

Cross Talk Between TGF-β and JAK Expressions and Nepherotoxicity Induced by Tetrachloromethane: Role of Phytotherapy

The aim of the current study is to assess the effectiveness of milk thistle seeds (Mth) in combination with Taraxacum officinale (Tof) and/or Camellia sinensis (Csin) against tetrachloromethane (Tcm) renotoxicity in rats. Tetrachloromethane was injected in a single dose, followed by 1-month treatments with Mth, Tof, and Csin alone or in combination. Serum urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels were significantly increased matched with the control group. Masson trichrome stain revealed increase in the deposition of fibrous tissue in the interstitium between the tubules and the renal corpuscles. Immunohistochemical analysis of kidney tissues revealed that Tcm induced an increase in the immune response of tumor growth factor β (TGF-β) and Janus kinase (JAK) protein expressions and cysteine-aspartic acid protease 3 (caspase 3), while B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) was downregulated. Treatment with the antioxidants in question either alone or in combination ameliorated all kidney function parameters and showed mild immune reactivity toward TGF-β and JAK protein expressions in blood vessels and glomeruli in the kidney tissues and downregulated caspase 3 and activated Bcl2 protein expression. The combination regimen of the 3 antioxidants showed the most significant renoprotective effect. This was also confirmed histopathologically. It was concluded that the antioxidant mixture is considered as a promising candidate toward renal dysfunction and immune reactivity induced by Tcm and other toxicants.

Assessment of the possible roles of SB-269970 versus ketanserin on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats: Oxidative stress/TGF-β1-induced HSCs activation pathway

BACKGROUND

In liver fibrosis, a major morbid and mortal disease, oxidative stress motivation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)-into myofibroblasts terminated in collagen deposition remain the key pathophysiological deal. Serotonin (5-HT) through its HSCs-expressed receptors, especially 5-HT2A and 7, shows crucial events in fibrogenesis of chronic liver diseases. Molecular hepatic oxidative stress-fibrotic roles of 5-HT2A and 7 receptors antagonists (ketanserin and SB-269970 respectively) are still a challenging issue.

METHODS

Seven groups of adult male Wistar rats (n=10) were used. A carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) solution was injected intraperitoneally twice weekly for 6 weeks. On the 7th week, rats developed liver fibrosis were treated either by ketanserin (1mg/kg/day, ip) or SB-269970 (2mg/kg/day, ip) for 14days. Survival rates, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in addition to hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β₁) and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) levels, beside the hepatic histopathological fibrotic changes, were evaluated.

RESULTS

In CCl₄-challenged rats, each therapeutic approach showed significant reductions in elevated serum ALT, and AST levels, hepatic MDA, TGF-β₁, and PINP levels, and histopathological hepatic fibrotic scores as well as significant elevations in survival rates, reduced hepatic GSH levels, and SOD, and CAT activities. Remarkably, significant ameliorative measurements were observed in SB-269970 treated group.

CONCLUSION

Blockade of 5-HT2A and 7 receptors each alone could be a future reliable therapeutic approach in liver fibrosis through a reduction in oxidative stress/TGF-β₁-induced HSCs activation pathway.

Inactivation of Kupffer Cells by Selenizing Astragalus Polysaccharides Prevents CCl4-Induced Hepatocellular Necrosis in the Male Wistar Rat

Selenizing astragalus polysaccharides-3 (sAPS₃) was prepared by nitric acid-sodium selenite method. The effects of sAPS₃ on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced hepatocellular necrosis, and its underlying mechanisms were studied in male Wistar rats. Hepatic damage was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ twice a week, for 3 weeks. Meanwhile, the rats in addition to CCl₄ were also exposed to sodium selenite (SS), astragalus polysaccharides (APS), SS + APS or sAPS₃, in parallel by oral gavage once a day for 3 weeks. At the end of 3 weeks, blood and liver tissue were taken. Serum was collected to test the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and antioxidant status parameters. Liver tissue was collected for histopathological examination and determination of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of CD68, TNF-α, IL-1β and ATG7 followed by the measurements of CD68, IL-1β and LC3II by immunohistochemistry assay (IHC), or TNF-α by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The results showed that sAPS₃ effectively ameliorated CCl₄ induced hepatocellular necrosis and inflammation and significantly decreased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, malondialdehyde and the expression levels of Kupffer cells (KCs)-specific biomarker CD68 and proinflammatory cytokines produced by activated KCs such as IL-1β and TNF-α (P < 0.01). While increasing the levels of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05) and reduced the expression levels of a key regulator of autophagy in KCs ATG7 or LC3II (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that sAPS₃ could ameliorate CCl₄-induced hepatocellular necrosis by inactivation of Kupffer cells and its activity may be superior to the application of selenium, APS or combination of selenium with APS.

Gallic Acid and Dodecyl Gallate Prevents Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute and Chronic Hepatotoxicity by Enhancing Hepatic Antioxidant Status and Increasing p53 Expression

Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, GA), a natural phenolic acid has been reported as a strong antioxidant. Therefore the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of GA and dodecyl gallate (DGA) against acute and chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity. For acute model, rats were orally treated with GA and DGA for 7 d prior to CCl₄ by intraperitoneally (i.p.) injection. For the chronic model, rats were orally treated with GA or DGA and CCl₄ i.p. twice a week for four weeks. In both acute and chronic models, the CCl₄-treated groups showed significantly increase in serum hepatic enzyme activities and histopathologic alterations, as well as a disruption in antioxidative status. In contrast, the treatment with GA and DGA restored serum hepatic enzymes activities, improved histopathologic alterations, increased glutathione (GSH) and decreased lipid peroxidation levels. The activities of liver antioxidant enzymes were increased by GA and DGA only in acute model. The expression of p53 gene increased about 3.5 times after GA and DGA treatments, which could result in cell death of damaged hepatocytes preventing of a lifelong liver failure. Thus, these results suggest that GA and DGA has the potential to prevent liver damages as the case of fibrosis condition.

Date fruits inhibit hepatocyte apoptosis and modulate the expression of hepatocyte growth factor, cytochrome P450 2E1 and heme oxygenase-1 in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis

CONTEXT

Date fruits have protective effects against liver fibrosis; however their anti-apoptotic effects have not been investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the modulating effects of date fruits on pro- and anti-apoptotic markers, cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in liver fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Liver fibrosis was induced by injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) for eight weeks. Date flesh extract (DFE) and pits extract (DPE) were taken daily concomitant with CCl₄. Hepatocyte apoptosis was determined by measuring the expression of Fas, caspase-3, Bax, Bcl2 and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1). Hepatic levels of HGF and CYP2E1 were determined.

RESULTS

Treatment with DFE and DPE significantly attenuated the elevated levels of Fas, caspase 3, Bax and CYP2E1 induced by CCl₄. In addition, they alleviated the reduction in Bcl2, HGF and HO-1, the cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic factors in liver. Conclusions DFE and DPE treatment can ameliorate liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis.

Chemical characterisation and the anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and antibacterial properties of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Date fruit, Phoenix dactylifera L. has traditionally been used as a medicine in many cultures for the treatment of a range of ailments such as stomach and intestinal disorders, fever, oedema, bronchitis and wound healing.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present review aims to summarise the traditional use and application of P. dactylifera date fruit in different ethnomedical systems, additionally the botany and phytochemistry are identified. Critical evaluation of in vitro and in vitro studies examining date fruit in relation to anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and antimicrobial activities are outlined.

KEY FINDINGS

The ethnomedical use of P. dactylifera in the treatment of inflammatory disease has been previously identified and reported. Furthermore, date fruit and date fruit co-products such as date syrup are rich sources of polyphenols, anthocyanins, sterols and carotenoids. In vitro studies have demonstrated that date fruit exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activity. The recent interest in the identification of the numerous health benefits of dates using in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that date fruit and date syrup have beneficial health effects that can be attributed to the presence of natural bioactive compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

Date fruit and date syrup have therapeutic properties, which have the potential to be beneficial to health. However, more investigations are needed to quantify and validate these effects.

The antifibrotic and fibrolytic properties of date fruit extract via modulation of genotoxicity, tissue-inhibitor of metalloproteinases and nuclear factor- kappa B pathway in a rat model of hepatotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Hepatic fibrosis and its end point; cirrhosis, are the major cause of liver failure and death in patients with chronic liver disease. Therefore, the need for an effective treatment is evident. This study was designed to assess the potential effects of aqueous extract of date fruits, either flesh (DFE) or pits (DPE), on oxidative DNA damage and liver inflammation induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and whether they are related to inhibition of nuclear factor-κB pathway. In addition, the fibrolytic potential was evaluated via measuring matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases -1 and -2.

METHODS

Rats were divided into the following groups: normal control, model control (CCl4 only), CCl4 + DFE, CCl4 + DPE and CCl4 + coffee. Coffee was used as a positive control. Fibrosis was induced by chronic administration of CCl4 (0.4 ml/kg) 3× a week for 8 weeks, and rats were treated with 6 ml/kg/day of DFE or DPE for 8 weeks. Liver homogenate was prepared for evaluation of oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammatory and fibrolytic markers. Data are analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by a Tukey-Kramer post hoc test.

RESULTS

Both DFE and DPE significantly attenuated CCl4-induced oxidative damage as indicated by reducing lipid, protein and DNA oxidation in addition to increasing the levels of hepatic catalase activity. Both extracts blocked the accumulation of collagen I in the liver and ameliorated the increased expression of collagen III and α-smooth muscle actin suggesting suppression of profibrotic response induced by CCl4. DFE and DPE also upregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and attenuated the nuclear factor-κB activation and cycloxygenase-2 expression reflecting their anti-inflammatory potential. Additionally, both flesh and pits extracts attenuated the increase in the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases -1 and -2 suggesting their fibrolytic activity.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that DFE or DPE can prevent liver fibrosis by suppressing genotoxicity and nuclear factor-κB inflammatory pathway and by promoting collagen degradation.