Hepatoprotective effects of Alpinia officinarum rhizome extract on cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats: A biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical study

BACKGROUND

Alpinia officinarum is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), which is widely cultivated in Asia and traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antihyperlipidemic qualities. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Alpinia officinarum rhizome extract (AORE) on cisplatin (CP)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

METHODS

Forty-four male rats were divided into six groups including the control group, AORE control group, CP control group, and three groups of CP (7 mg/kg dose, on the 10th day) with AORE (at concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, daily for 14 days). After 14 days, the rats' livers were removed and their liver function was assessed using biochemical marker enzymes including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and albumin, total protein, and total bilirubin (T. bilirubin). Oxidative stress was assessed by evaluating malondialdehyde concentration and hepatic superoxide dismutase activity, histopathological and immunohistochemical tests were also conducted.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that treatment with AORE reduced the toxicity in levels of the hepatic biomarkers in cp-induced groups. AORE treatment decreased oxidative stress and improved histopathological indexes. Furthermore, immunohistochemical (IHC) investigation showed the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) upsurging and p53 downregulating expression exhibiting the recovery following AORE administration.

CONCLUSION

The founding suggested that AORE administration has positive biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical impacts on the ameliorating of hepatotoxicity in CP-induced rats.

The ameliorative effects of Alpinia officinarum rhizome hydroalcoholic extract on cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity in rats

OBJECTIVE

In this study we evaluated the influence of Alpinia officinarum rhizome extract (AO) on the alleviation of testicular damage induced by cisplatin in rats.

METHODS

The study groups included the control group, AO-administered group, cisplatin-administered group, and three groups administered with cisplatin and AO (different concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). On the 14th day we removed the testes of the rats, and the testicular organ parameters were measured. Moreover, through the malondialdehyde concentration we assessed the oxidative stress and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the testes and ran a histopathological analysis.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that cisplatin-induced oxidative stress and severe testicular damage on the AO-administered group showed no harm compared with the control group. AO- treatment in cisplatin-received rats led to the reduction of oxidative stress, enhancement of SOD activity, and prevention of testicular damage. The lowest testis damage was attributed to the group which received 400 mg/kg of AO compared to 100 and 200 mg/kg.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the Cis+/AO+400 group had the best antioxidant effect. The findings could lead to changes in cancer care guidelines that incorporate phytochemicals, making cancer therapies safer.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their exosome in acute liver failure (ALF): a comprehensive review

Recently, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their derivative exosome have become a promising approach in the context of liver diseases therapy, in particular, acute liver failure (ALF). In addition to their differentiation into hepatocytes in vivo, which is partially involved in liver regeneration, MSCs support liver regeneration as a result of their appreciated competencies, such as antiapoptotic, immunomodulatory, antifibrotic, and also antioxidant attributes. Further, MSCs-secreted molecules inspire hepatocyte proliferation in vivo, facilitating damaged tissue recovery in ALF. Given these properties, various MSCs-based approaches have evolved and resulted in encouraging outcomes in ALF animal models and also displayed safety and also modest efficacy in human studies, providing a new avenue for ALF therapy. Irrespective of MSCs-derived exosome, MSCs-based strategies in ALF include administration of native MSCs, genetically modified MSCs, pretreated MSCs, MSCs delivery using biomaterials, and also MSCs in combination with and other therapeutic molecules or modalities. Herein, we will deliver an overview regarding the therapeutic effects of the MSCs and their exosomes in ALF. As well, we will discuss recent progress in preclinical and clinical studies and current challenges in MSCs-based therapies in ALF, with a special focus on in vivo reports.

Biosensors and nanotechnology for cancer diagnosis (lung and bronchus, breast, prostate, and colon): a systematic review

The second cause of death in the world has been reported to be cancer, and it has been on the rise in recent years. As a result of the difficulties of cancer detection and its treatment, the survival rate of patients is unclear. The early detection of cancer is an important issue for its therapy. Cancer detection based on biomarkers may effectively enhance the early detection and subsequent treatment. Nanomaterial-based nanobiosensors for cancer biomarkers are excellent tools for the molecular detection and diagnosis of disease. This review reports the latest advancement and attainment in applying nanoparticles to the detection of cancer biomarkers. In this paper, the recent advances in the application of common nanomaterials like graphene, carbon nanotubes, Au, Ag, Pt, and Fe₃O₄together with newly emerged nanoparticles such as quantum dots, upconversion nanoparticles, inorganics (ZnO, MoS₂), and metal-organic frameworks for the diagnosis of biomarkers related to lung, prostate, breast, and colon cancer are highlighted. Finally, the challenges, outlook, and closing remarks are given.

Common Peroneal Nerve Injury in a Patient with COVID-19 Infection

This report described a 46-year man with the characteristic Computerized Tomography (CT) scan findings of Corona Virus Disease Infection 19 (COVID-19) who presented to the hospital with right ankle weakness three weeks after the pneumonitis. He had been initially hospitalized, complaining of fever, myalgia, cough, and dyspnea. Electromyogram (EMG) revealed obvious evidence of increased insertional activity (IA) and significant denervation potentials, including positive sharp waves (PSW) and fibrillation potentials, particularly in ankle dorsiflexor muscles. Moreover, no voluntary motor unit action potential (MUAP) was observed. Eventually, the patient was diagnosed with severe axonal mononeuropathy of the right CPN, which could be considered a rare complication of COVID-19.

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats System of Genome Engineering in Embryos to Repair Genes

CRISPR is a powerful gene editing tool for correcting disease-causing mutations. It is becoming more and more evident that CRISPR is a promising approach to treating human genetic diseases. The technologies for adding or removing genes have made significant advances over the past few years and have shown promising potential outcomes. In the current study, we mainly introduce the CRISPR/Cas system and there are several applications in the treatment of genetic diseases, particularly during embryo development.

Effects of Quercetin-Loaded Nanoparticles on MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Background and objectives: Previous studies have shown anti-tumor activity of quercetin (QT). However, the low bioavailability of QT has restricted its use. This study aimed to assess the toxic effect of QT encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles (QT-SLNs) on the growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: MCF-7 and MCF-10A (non-tumorigenic cell line) cell lines treated with 25 µmol/mL of QT or QT-SLNs for 48 h. Cell viability, colony formation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were evaluated to determine the toxic effects of the QT-SLNs. Results: The QT-SLNs with appropriate characteristics (particle size of 85.5 nm, a zeta potential of −22.5 and encapsulation efficiency of 97.6%) were prepared. The QT-SLNs showed sustained QT release until 48 h. Cytotoxicity assessments indicated that QT-SLNs inhibited MCF-7 cells growth with a low IC₅₀ (50% inhibitory concentration) value, compared to the free QT. QT-SLNs induced a significant decrease in the viability and proliferation of MCF-7 cells, compared to the free QT. QT-SLN significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and MDA contents and significantly decreased antioxidant enzyme activity in the MCF-7 cells. Following QT-SLNs treatment, the expression of the Bcl-2 protein significantly decreased, whereas Bx expression showed a significant increase in comparison with free QT-treated cells. Furthermore, The QT-SLNs significantly increased apoptotic and necrotic indexes in MCF-7 cells. Viability, proliferation, oxidative stress and apoptosis of MCF-10A cells were not affected by QT or QT-SLNs. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, SLN significantly enhanced the toxic effect of QT against human breast cancer cells.

The protective effects of melatonin against cryopreservation-induced oxidative stress in human sperm

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation during cryopreservation harm sperm membrane and as a result reduce the recovery of motile sperm. The antioxidant effects of melatonin on different cells have been widely reported. This study was aimed to evaluate changes in post-thaw motility, viability, and intracellular ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) in response to the addition of melatonin to human sperm freezing extender. Semen of 43 fertile men was collected and each sample was divided into eight equal aliquots. An aliquot was analyzed freshly for viability, motility, and intracellular ROS and MDA. Melatonin was added to the recommended human freezing extender to yield six different final concentrations: 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 1 mM. A control group without melatonin was also included. Two weeks after cryopreservation, samples were thawed and pre-freeze analyses repeated. Obtained results showed that cryopreservation significantly (P <0.05) reduces viability and motility, but increases intracellular ROS and MDA of human sperm. The semen extender supplemented with various doses of melatonin (except for 0.001 mM) significantly (P <0.05) increased motility and viability, but decreased intracellular ROS and MDA levels of cryopreserved sperm after the thawing process, as compared with the control group. We also found that the most effective concentration of melatonin in protecting human spermatozoa from cryopreservation injuries was 0.01 mM. These findings suggest that melatonin exerts its cryoprotective effects on spermatozoa possibly by counteracting intracellular ROS, and thereby reduces MDA generation. This finally leads to increase of post-thaw viability and motility of cryopreserved spermatozoa.

Curcumin-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles effects on mono-iodoacetate -induced osteoarthritis in rats

Curcumin has been found to be very efficacious against many different types of diseases. However, the major disadvantage associated with the use of curcumin is its low systemic bioavailability. In the present study the protective effects of curcumin-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (nanocurcumin) against mono-iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats was investigated. Mono-iodoacetate was injected into right knee joints to induce osteoarthritis. In experimental groups, 14 days after injection of mono-iodoacetate, curcumin (200 mg kg^-1) and nanocurcumin (200 mg kg^-1) were gavaged, respectively, for two weeks. Then the rats were sacrificed and the right knee joints were removed and fixated in 10% formalin for histological assessments. Cellularity and matrix staining were significantly increased in articular cartilage of curcumin-treated animals compared to mono-iodoacetate group (p < 0.01). These effects were significantly (p < 0.01) more in nanocurcumin-treated animals. These results suggested that administration of nanocurcumin prevented the structural changes of articular cartilage in mono-iodoacetate model of osteoarthritis in rats.