Cardioprotective Effect of Gossypin Against Myocardial Ischemic/Reperfusion in Rats via Alteration of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Gut Microbiota

Background

Myocardial ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a key prognostic factor after the myocardial infarction. However, at the time of reperfusion, the myocardial tissue has undergone for the necrosis and initiated the induction of oxidative stress and inflammation. The current study was to scrutinize the cardioprotective effect of gossypin against ISO-induced I/R injury in myocardial tissue and explore the possible underlying mechanism.

Methods

Sprague Dawley (SD) was used in the current protocol and ISO was used for induction the I/R in rat. The rats were divided into different groups and received the oral administration of gossypin treatment before the reperfusion. The body weight, heart weight and heart body weight ratio were estimated. The antioxidant, cardiac injury parameters, inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory mediators, gut microbiota and lipid parameters were estimated. At the end, heart tissue histopathological study was carried out.

Results

ISO-induced I/R rats received the gossypin treatment significantly (P < 0.001) enhanced the body weight and decreased the heart weight, along with suppressed the infarct size. Gossypin treatment significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the level of heart parameters, such as creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), cardiac troponin I (CTn-I) and cardiac troponin T (CTn-T) in the serum. Gossypin treatment significantly (P < 0.001) altered the cardiac function, hepatic, antioxidant, inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators. Gossypin significantly (P < 0.001) suppressed the MMP-2 and MMP-9 in ISO-induced I/R rats. Gossypin treatment considerably alleviated the gut dysbiosis through altered Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and also maintained the relative abundance of Butyricicoccus, Clostridium IV, Akkermansia, Roseburia and Clostridium XIVs.

Conclusion

Based on result, we can conclude that gossypin is an alternative drug for the treatment of ISO-induced I/R in rats via alteration of oxidative stress, inflammatory reaction and gut microbiota.

Thymoquinone attenuates isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction by inhibiting cytochrome C and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression

Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main active constituent of Nigella sativa. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of TQ on apoptotic parameters and MMP-9 expression in isoproterenol (ISP)-induced myocardial infarction (MI). TQ was given once daily for 7 days at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg orally with ISP (86 mg/kg; s.c.) administered on the sixth and seventh days. TQ pre-treatment protected against ISP-induced MI as approved by normalisation of electrocardiogram (ECG) and b (CK)-MB, minimal histopathological changes, and reduction of the infarction size. Effects of TQ could be supported by its antioxidant activity, evidenced by the increase of cardiac reduced glutathione and total serum antioxidant capacity, and the inhibition of ISO-induced lipid peroxidation. TQ anti-inflammatory activity was associated with reduced expression of NF-κB and TNF-α. TQ ameliorated cardiomyocytes^, apoptotic pathways by inhibiting both the intrinsic pathway, via reducing cytoplasmic cytochrome C, and the extrinsic pathway, by inhibiting TNF-α and caspases, and the effect of TQ was dose-dependent. Moreover, TQ reduced the expression of metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, which is considered as a prognostic marker of ventricular remodelling, recommending that TQ can be used as a possible supplement to minimise post-MI changes. So, we conclude that TQ antiapoptotic activity and the inhibitory modulation of MMP-9 expression contribute to TQ protective effects in MI. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the effect of TQ on cytochrome c activity and MMP-9 expression in MI.

Attenuation of lipid metabolic abnormalities, proinflammatory cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinase expression by biochanin-A in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

In the present study, we assessed the therapeutic potential of Biochanin-A (BCA) (10 mg/kg BW/day) pretreatment for 30 days on lipid metabolic abnormalities, proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase expression in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. We measured the potential role of BCA on tissue and circulatory lipid profiles as well as on lipid metabolic enzymes: serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP1) and serum Matrix Metalloproteinases (particularly, MMP-2 and MMP-9) together with mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-2 and MMP-9 by RT-PCR analysis. Administration of ISO to rats significantly distorted their lipid metabolism and augmented inflammatory process, MMP expression and proteolytic activity. In addition, pretreatment with BCA of ISO-induced MI rats significantly reestablished the altered lipid metabolism and concealed the inflammation of cytokines. BCA suppressed the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines and MMPs in ISO-induced MI in rats when compared to normal untreated MI rats. Hence, these results established that BCA could improve the pathological processes of myocardial remodeling which was confirmed by histopathology of heart in MI rats and might be an effective beneficial ingredient for the management of heart failure disorders.

Oleic Acid Prevents Isoprenaline-Induced Cardiac Injury: Effects on Cellular Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Histopathological Alterations

The present study was designed to assess the cardio-protective role of oleic acid in myocardial injury (MI) induced by intra-peritoneal injection of isoprenaline (ISO) in rats for 2 consecutive days. Oleic acid (OA) was administered orally (@ 5 mg/kg b.wt and 10 mg/kg b.wt) for 21 days before inducing MI. Pre-exposure to OA at higher dose significantly improved the HW/BW ratio, myocardial infarct size, lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL-C) and cardiac injury biomarkers (LDH, CK-MB, cardiac troponin-I, MMP-9), thus suggesting its cardio-protective role. The ameliorative potential of the higher dose of OA was further substantiated by its ability to reduce the cardiac oxidative stress as evidenced by significant decrease in lipid peroxidation coupled with increase in superoxide dismutase activity and reduced glutathione level. Significant decrease in heart rate as well as increase in RR and QT intervals in oleic acid pre-exposed rats were also observed. OA pre-treatment also reduced the histopathological alterations seen in myocardial injury group rats. The mRNA expression of cardiac UCP-2 gene, a regulator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, was significantly increased in oleic acid pre-exposure group compared to the ISO-induced myocardial injury group. Thus increase in expression of UCP-2 gene in cardiac tissue seems to be one of the protective measures against myocardial injury. Based on the above findings, it may be inferred that oleic acid possesses promising cardio-protective potential against myocardial injury due to its anti-oxidative property and ability to modulate cardiac metabolic processes.

Melatonin regulates oxidative stress and apoptosis in fetal hearts of pinealectomised RUPP rats

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin on cardiac oxidative stress and apoptosis in the fetal heart in RUPP rats.

METHODS

The fetal heart samples were obtained from melatonin administrated RUPP rats.

RESULTS

Our results indicate that preeclampsia exacerbated by melatonin deficiency triggers hypoxic conditions, both mis/un-folded protein response, oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Melatonin treatment provided significant therapeutic effects on fetal hearts via regulating all these stress response at cellular and molecular levels.

CONCLUSION

Melatonin may be considered as a potential molecule for development of preventive strategies to reduce the PE induced risk of cardiovascular diseases in offspring.

Molecular Targets of Natural Products for Chondroprotection in Destructive Joint Diseases

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis that occurs in an aged population. It affects any joints in the body and degenerates the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone. Despite the pathophysiology of OA being different, cartilage resorption is still a symbol of osteoarthritis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important proteolytic enzymes that degrade extra-cellular matrix proteins (ECM) in the body. MMPs contribute to the turnover of cartilage and its break down; their levels have increased in the joint tissues of OA patients. Application of chondroprotective drugs neutralize the activities of MMPs. Natural products derived from herbs and plants developed as traditional medicine have been paid attention to, due to their potential biological effects. The therapeutic value of natural products in OA has increased in reputation due to their clinical impact and insignificant side effects. Several MMPs inhibitor have been used as therapeutic drugs, for a long time. Recently, different types of compounds were reviewed for their biological activities. In this review, we summarize numerous natural products for the development of MMPs inhibitors in arthritic diseases and describe the major signaling targets that were involved for the treatments of these destructive joint diseases.

Effect of Kaempferol Pretreatment on Myocardial Injury in Rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of kaempferol in isoprenaline (ISP)-induced myocardial injury in rats. ISP was administered subcutaneously for two subsequent days to induce myocardial injury. Assessment of myocardial injury was done by estimation of hemodynamic functions, myocardial infarcted area, cardiac injury markers, lipid profile, oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines and histopathology of heart and liver. Rats pretreated with kaempferol showed reduction in the myocardial infarcted area and heart rate. However, no improvement was observed in change in body weight, mean arterial, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Kaempferol showed significant decrease in serum LDH, CK-MB, troponin-I and lipid profile. However, highest dose of kaempferol did not reduce the serum triglyceride level. Further, antioxidant enzymes, SOD and catalase, were also higher. However, reduced glutathione, serum SGOT and creatinine did not show any improvement. Kaempferol showed reduction in MDA level. Kaempferol at highest dose showed reduction in pro-MMP-2 expression and MMP-9 level. mRNA expression level of TNF-α was not different in kaempferol-pretreated myocardial injured rats with ISP-alone group. Pretreatment with kaempferol at highest dose showed mild mononuclear infiltration and degenerative changes in heart tissue section of myocardial injured rats. Rats pretreated with kaempferol at higher concentration showed normal cordlike arrangement of hepatocytes with moderate swelling of hepatocytes (vacuolar degeneration) around the central vein. Study suggests that kaempferol attenuated lipid profile, infarcted area and oxidative stress in ISP-induced myocardial injury in rats.

Osthole ameliorates acute myocardial infarction in rats by decreasing the expression of inflammatory-related cytokines, diminishing MMP-2 expression and activating p-ERK

Osthole, the active constituent of Cnidium monnieri extracts, has been shown to have a diverse range of pharmacological properties. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of osthole in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The rats with AMI were treated with 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg of osthole or the vehicle for 4 weeks. The infarct size of the rats with AMI was measured, and casein kinase (CK), the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) activities in the rats with AMI were analyzed using commercially available kits. The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 levels in whole blood from rats with AMI were also detected using commercially available kits. The levels of Toll-like receptors 2/4 (TLR2/4) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1/2 (NOD1/2) were also detected by RT-qPCR. Moreover, the protein expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as well as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were all assayed by western blot analysis. Our results revealed that osthole markedly reduced the infarct size, and the levels of CK, CK-MB, LDH and cTnT in the rats with AMI, and that these cardioprotective effects may be associated with the inhibition of inflammatory reactions, the reduction in MMP-2 activity and the activation of MAPK cascades.

Sesame oil attenuates nutritional fibrosing steatohepatitis by modulating matrix metalloproteinases-2, 9 and PPAR-γ

Sesame oil is a nutrient-rich antioxidant popular in alternative medicine. It contains sesamin, sesamol, and sesamolin, all of which contribute to its improved liver function in various animal model studies. However, its effect on nutritional fibrosing steatohepatitis is unclear. We investigated therapeutic sesame oil on matrix metalloproteinases-2, 9 (MMP-2, 9) in nutritional fibrosing steatohepatitic mice. C57BL/6 J mice were fed with methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet for 35 days to induce fibrosing steatohepatitis. Sesame oil was treated from 29-35th day. Body weight, steatosis, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), MMP-2, 9, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 were assessed after 35 days. All tested parameters except TIMP-1 and PPAR-γ were higher in MCD fed mice than in normal control mice. Mice fed with MCD diet for 4 weeks showed severe liver injury with steatosis, necrotic-inflammation, and fibrosis. In sesame-oil (4 ml)-treated mice, all tested parameters except TIMP-1, α-SMA, and PPAR-γ were significantly attenuated compared with MCD fed mice. Sesame oil inhibited MMP-2, 9 activities, but up-regulated TIMP-1 expression in MCD fed mice. In addition, a histological analysis of liver tissue samples showed that sesame oil provided significant protection against fibrosis. We conclude that therapeutic sesame oil protects against fibrosing steatohepatitis by inhibiting MMP-2, 9 activities, up-regulating TIMP-1 expression, and PPAR-γ.

Implication of NGF and endocannabinoid signaling in the mechanism of action of sesamol: a multi-target natural compound with therapeutic potential

RATIONALE

Sesamol, a natural compound with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, has shown promising antidepressant-like effects. However, its molecular target(s) have not been well defined, which merits further investigation.

OBJECTIVES

Based on the interaction between the neurotrophin and endocannabinoid (eCB) systems and their contribution to emotional reactivity and antidepressant action, we aimed to investigate the involvement of nerve growth factor (NGF) and eCB signalling in the mechanism of action of sesamol.

METHODS

Following acute and 4-week intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of sesamol (40, 80 and 100 mg/kg), the classical antidepressant amitriptyline (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) or the benzodiazepine flurazepam (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg), brain regional levels of NGF and eCB contents were quantified in rats by Bio-Rad protein assay and isotope-dilution liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, respectively. In the case of any significant change, the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists (AM251 and SR144528) were administered i.p. 30 min prior to the injection of sesamol, amitriptyline or flurazepam.

RESULTS

Following the chronic treatment, sesamol, similar to amitriptyline, resulted in the sustained elevation of NGF and eCB contents in dose-dependent and brain region-specific fashion. Neither acute nor chronic treatment with flurazepam altered brain NGF or eCB contents. Pretreatment with 3 mg/kg AM251, but not SR144528, prevented the elevation of NGF protein levels. AM251 exerted no effect by itself.

CONCLUSIONS

Sesamol, similar to amitriptyline, is able to affect brain NGF and eCB signalling under the regulatory drive of the CB1 receptors.

Sesamol induces apoptosis in human platelets via reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial damage

Platelets play an indispensable role in human health and disease. Platelets are very sensitive to oxidative stress, as it leads to the damage of mitochondrial DNA, which is the initial step of a sequence of events culminating in the cell death through the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Owing to a lot of reports on secondary complications arising from oxidative stress caused by therapeutic drug overdose, the present study concentrated on the influence of sesamol on oxidative stress-induced platelet apoptosis. Sesamol, a phenolic derivative present in sesame seeds is an exceptionally promising drug with lots of reports on its protective functions, including its inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation at concentrations below 100 μM, and its anti-cancer effect at 1 mM. However, the present study explored the toxic effects of sesamol on human platelets. Sesamol at the concentration of 0.25 mM and above induced platelet apoptosis through endogenous generation of ROS, depletion of thiol pool, and Ca(2+) mobilization. It also induced mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, caspase activation, cytochrome c translocation and phosphatidylserine exposure, thus illustrating the pro-apoptotic effect of sesamol at higher concentration. However, even at high concentration of 2 mM sesamol effectively inhibited collagen/ADP/epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation. The study demonstrates that even though sesamol inhibits platelet aggregation, it has the tendency to elicit platelet apoptosis at higher concentrations. Sesamol has a potential as thrombolytic agent, nevertheless the current work highlights the significance of an appropriate dosage of sesamol when it is used as a therapeutic drug.

Beneficial effect of sesame oil on heavy metal toxicity

Heavy metals become toxic when they are not metabolized by the body and accumulate in the soft tissue. Chelation therapy is mainly for the management of heavy metal-induced toxicity; however, it usually causes adverse effects or completely blocks the vital function of the particular metal chelated. Much attention has been paid to the development of chelating agents from natural sources to counteract lead- and iron-induced hepatic and renal damage. Sesame oil (a natural edible oil) and sesamol (an active antioxidant) are potently beneficial for treating lead- and iron-induced hepatic and renal toxicity and have no adverse effects. Sesame oil and sesamol significantly inhibit iron-induced lipid peroxidation by inhibiting the xanthine oxidase, nitric oxide, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radical generation. In addition, sesame oil is a potent inhibitor of proinflammatory mediators, and it attenuates lead-induced hepatic damage by inhibiting nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β levels. Because metal chelating therapy is associated with adverse effects, treating heavy metal toxicity in addition with sesame oil and sesamol may be better alternatives. This review deals with the possible use and beneficial effects of sesame oil and sesamol during heavy metal toxicity treatment.

Comparative potential therapeutic effect of sesame oil and peanut oil against acute monocrotaline (Crotalaria) poisoning in a rat model

BACKGROUND

Many Crotalaria plant species contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (such as monocrotaline) that can cause acute and chronic poisoning in cattle and other animals.

HYPOTHESIS

Peanut oil, atropine sulfate, and antidiarrheal agents are used to treat acute monocrotaline poisoning. The effect of sesame on acute monocrotaline poisoning has never been investigated.

ANIMALS

Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for toxicity studies.

METHODS

Experiment 1: Group I, control. Groups II-IV were given monocrotaline (205.2 mg/kg) and euthanized 6, 12, and 24 hours later. Experiment 2: Group I, control. Group II monocrotaline alone (205.2 mg/kg). Groups III-VI were given monocrotaline (205.2 mg/kg) and 1 hour later, Groups III and IV were given sesame oil (1 and 2 mL/kg) and Groups V and VI were given peanut oil (1 and 2 mL/kg).

RESULTS

Monocrotaline significantly decreased (P < .05) serum amylase activity, but, over time, increased (P < .05) pancreatic and lung injury. AST and ALT activity and liver injury peaked at 24 hours. Sesame oil and peanut oil (P < .05) inhibited the changes in all tested parameters in acute monocrotaline poisoning. Although peanut oil inhibited acute monocrotaline poisoning, it induced steatosis, but sesame oil did not.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

We hypothesize that early pancreatic and lung injury and late liver injury contribute to acute monocrotaline poisoning and that sesame oil is more efficacious than peanut oil against acute monocrotaline poisoning in rats. However, additional studies are needed to confirm that these oils have the same effects in cattle and other animals.

Therapeutic sesamol attenuates monocrotaline-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in rats by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-9

We investigated the therapeutic effect of sesamol against monocrotaline-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with a single dose of monocrotaline (90 mg/kg) to induce SOS. Sesamol (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected 24 h after monocrotaline treatment. Control rats were given saline only. Aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, mast cells, CD 68(+) Kupffer cells, neutrophils, myeloperoxidase, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), laminin, and collagen were assessed 48 h after monocrotaline treatment. All tested parameters, except for TIMP-1, laminin, and collagen, were significantly higher in monocrotaline-treated rats than in control rats, and, except for TIMP-1, laminin, and collagen, significantly lower in sesamol-treated rats than in monocrotaline-treated rats. In addition, liver pathology revealed that sesamol offered significant protection against SOS. We conclude that a single dose of sesamol therapeutically attenuated SOS by decreasing the recruitment of inflammatory cells, downregulating MMP-9, and upregulating TIMP-1 expression.