Carvacrol Exerts Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidative Stress and Hepatoprotective Effects Against Diclofenac-Induced Liver Injury in Male Rats

Activation of sirtuin 3 and maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis by artemisinin protect against diclofenac-induced kidney injury in rats

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced kidney injury is one of the most common causes of renal failure. The exact pathogenesis of NSAID induced kidney injury is not fully known and the treatment is still challenging. Artemisinin (ART) gains more attention by its potent biological activities in addition to its antimalarial effect. In our research, we evaluated the preventive and therapeutic effects of ART in Diclofenac (DIC) induced kidney injury through its effect on mitochondria and regulation of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3). Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups: control, ART, DIC, DIC + ART prophylactic, and DIC followed + ART therapeutic groups. At the end of the study, animals were scarified and the following parameters were evaluated: serum urea and creatinine, renal malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitrate. SIRT3 was detected by western blotting and real-time PCR. Mitochondrial related markers (PGC-1α, Drp1, and mitochondrial ATP) were detected by immunoassay. Caspase-3 and LC3 II expression in kidney tissues were demonstrated by immune-histochemical staining. The kidney specimens were stained for H&E and PAS special stain. Electron microscopy was done to detect mitochondrial morphology. ART improved renal function test, oxidative stress, SIRT3 level, mitochondrial function, LC3 II expression and decrease caspase-3. Histopathological examination confirmed ART alleviation as determined by light or electron microscopy. ART can modulate biochemical and pathological changes in DIC-induced kidney injury and can be considered a new possible therapeutic approach for DIC-induced kidney injury through its effect on SIR3 and maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis.

Melissa officinalis Attenuates Diclofenac-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity via AMPK/SIRT1 and STAT3/Nrf2 Pathways

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess whether Melissa officinalis (MO) or lemon balm could counteract the detrimental effects of diclofenac (DIC) on the liver and kidneys in male albino rats.

METHODS

Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10 per group): control, DIC (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally), DIC + MO (10 mg/kg DIC IP + 200 mg/kg lemon balm orally), and MO only (200 mg/kg orally) for 28 days. Biochemical, molecular, and histopathological evaluations were conducted to assess organ function and tissue integrity.

RESULTS

DIC significantly impaired hepatic and renal function (p < 0.05), evidenced by elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Oxidative stress increased, as shown by higher malondialdehyde levels and reduced antioxidants, including glutathione and catalase (CAT). Inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were also elevated. Histopathological analysis indicated severe tissue damage and cell death in the liver and kidneys from DIC. However, adding MO alongside DIC mitigated these effects, improving both biochemical and histopathological parameters in the liver and kidneys. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of STAT3 and TNF-α and downregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Coadministration of MO significantly reversed these alterations (p < 0.05), improved tissue architecture, and restored antioxidant and anti-inflammatory balance.

CONCLUSION

MO provided substantial protection against oxidative damage and functional disturbances induced by DIC in liver and kidney tissues.

The immunogenic profile and immunomodulatory function of mesenchymal stromal / stem cells in the presence of Ptychotis verticillata

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are considered to be a promising immunotherapeutic tool due to their easy accessibility, culture expansion possibilities, safety profile, and immunomodulatory properties. Although several studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of MSCs, their efficacy needs to be improved while also preserving their safety. It has been suggested that cell homeostasis may be particularly sensitive to plant extracts. The impact of natural compounds on immunity is thus a fascinating and growing field. Ptychotis verticillata and its bioactive molecules, carvacrol and thymol, are potential candidates for improving MSC therapeutic effects. They can be used as immunotherapeutic agents to regulate MSC functions and behavior during immunomodulation. Depending on their concentrations and incubation time, these compounds strengthened the immunomodulatory functions of MSCs while maintaining their immune-evasive profile. Incubating MSCs with carvacrol and thymol does not alter their hypoimmunogenicity, as no induction of the allogeneic immune response was observed. MSCs also showed enhanced abilities to reduce the proliferation of activated T cells. Thus, MSCs are immunologically responsive to bioactive molecules derived from PV. The bioactivity may depend on the whole phyto-complex of the oil. These findings may contribute to the development of safe and efficient immunotherapeutic MSCs by using medicinal plant-derived active molecules.

Glucose Fluctuation Inhibits Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Hippocampal Tissues and Exacerbates Cognitive Impairment in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background

This research investigated whether glucose fluctuation (GF) can exacerbate cognitive impairment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and explored the related mechanism.

Methods

After 4 weeks of feeding with diets containing high fats plus sugar, the rat model of diabetes mellitus (DM) was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Then, GF was triggered by means of alternating satiety and starvation for 24 h. The weight, blood glucose level, and water intake of the rats were recorded. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was carried out to appraise the cognitive function at the end of week 12. Moreover, the morphological structure of hippocampal neurons was viewed through HE and Nissl staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed for ultrastructure observation. The protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 in the hippocampal tissues of rats were measured via Western blotting, and the mRNA expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 were examined using qRT-PCR. Finally, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were conducted to detect BDNF levels.

Results

It was manifested that GF not only aggravated the impairment of spatial memory in rats with STZ-induced type 2 DM but also stimulated the loss, shrinkage, and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Regarding the expressions in murine hippocampal tissues, GF depressed Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, Bcl-2, and BDNF but boosted Caspase-3 and Bax.

Conclusions

GF aggravates cognitive impairment by inhibiting the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hippocampal tissues.