A biochemical, theoretical and immunohistochemical study comparing the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin and taurine on T-2 toxin induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Introduction: Foodborne trichothecene T-2 Toxin, is a highly toxic metabolite produced by Fusarium species contaminating animal and human food, causing multiple organ failure and health hazards. T-2 toxins induce hepatotoxicity via oxidative stress causing hepatocytes cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. In this study, curcumin and taurine were investigated and compared as antioxidants against T-2-provoked hepatotoxicity. Methods: Wistar rats were administrated T-2 toxin sublethal oral dose (0.1 mg/kg) for 2 months, followed by curcumin (80 mg/kg) and taurine (50 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. Biochemical assessment of liver enzymes, lipid profiles, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), AFU, TNF-α, total glutathione, molecular docking, histological and immunohistochemical markers for anti-transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), double-strand DNA damage (H2AX), regeneration (KI67) and apoptosis (Active caspase3) were done. Results and Discussion: Compared to T-2 toxin, curcumin and taurine treatment significantly ameliorated hepatoxicity as; hemoglobin, hematocrit and glutathione, hepatic glycogen, and KI-67 immune-reactive hepatocytes were significantly increased. Although, liver enzymes, inflammation, fibrosis, TGFβ1 immunoexpressing and H2AX and active caspase 3 positive hepatocytes were significantly decreased. Noteworthy, curcumin's therapeutic effect was superior to taurine by histomorphometry parameters. Furthermore, molecular docking of the structural influence of curcumin and taurine on the DNA sequence showed curcumin's higher binding affinity than taurine. Conclusion: Both curcumin and taurine ameliorated T-2 induced hepatotoxicity as strong antioxidative agents with more effectiveness for curcumin.

Correlation between Antioxidant and Anti-Osteoporotic Activities of Shilajit Loaded into Chitosan Nanoparticles and Their Effects on Osteoporosis in Rats

Various therapies for osteoporosis successfully reduce bone loss and fractures, but they mostly do not contribute to new bone structures and adversely affect patients. Shilajit is a natural mineral substance comprised of multi-components, with proved efficacy to improve immunity, antioxidant activity, and disease resistance. In the present study, various effects of shilajit water extract (SWE) on bone development and its management were determined in experimental glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic rats. The fabrication of nanochitosan (NCT) and NCT conjugation with SWE were conducted and evaluated as enhanced formulations for treating osteoporosis. NCT and SWE/NCT had mean particle diameters of 196.4 and 248.4 nm, respectively, with high positivity charging and stability. The biochemical and anti-osteoporotic effects of SWE and SWE/NCT conjugates were investigated on different groups of compromised rats. Five groups each including six adult albino female rats were formed and treated for a duration of eight weeks with SWE and SWE/NCT conjugate. Significantly improved serum calcium, phosphorus, osteocalcin, and calcitonin levels but decreased hydrogen peroxide, IL-6, and antioxidant biomarkers were recorded in all SWE- and SWE/NCT-treated groups; the SWE/NCT treatment was most effectual treatment. These results suggest that SWE and SWE/NCT may cause anti-osteoporotic activity by reducing oxidative stress, IL-6, and H₂O₂ while restoring antioxidant levels. The conjugation of SWE onto NCT is highly recommended for augmenting their activities.

Shilajit potentiates the effect of chemotherapeutic drugs and mitigates metastasis induced liver and kidney damages in osteosarcoma rats

Osteosarcoma is a primary malignant cancer of the bone identified by the direct formation of osteoid tissue or immature bone by cancer cells. The liver and kidneys represent two major secondary organs to which osteosarcoma metastasizes. In this study, we assessed Shilajit, a phytomineral diffusion traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, for its possible protective effects against metastasis induced liver and kidney damages in an osteosarcoma rat model. Osteosarcoma rats displayed typical dysregulation of serum levels of hepatic and renal functional markers (p < 0.05) including aspartate aminotransferase (AST)* and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total proteins, albumin, bilirubin, creatinine, urea, and uric acid. Changes in functional markers were also positively correlated with marked histopathological alterations in liver and kidney tissues. Whereas Shilajit's treatment of osteosarcoma rates in combination with CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil) chemotherapy drug cocktail significantly (p < 0.05) reversed the studied functional markers to their near-normal levels. Co-treatment of shilajit and drug cocktails also markedly alleviated histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues. Correlation co-efficient analysis of hepatic and renal functional markers revealed a significant inter-association among these markers. Collectively, present data indicate that shilajit may potentiate the effects of chemotherapy drugs and mitigate the metastasis-induced liver and kidney damage in osteosarcoma. Thus, the findings of this study substantiate the beneficial health effects of shilajit and promote its regular consumption.

Correction: Effects of aluminum chloride and coenzyme Q10 on the molecular structure of lipids and the morphology of the brain hippocampus cells

Correction for ‘Effects of aluminum chloride and coenzyme Q10 on the molecular structure of lipids and the morphology of the brain hippocampus cells’ by Abdu Saeed et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 29925–29933, DOI: 10.1039/D1RA03786B.

Effects of aluminum chloride and coenzyme Q10 on the molecular structure of lipids and the morphology of the brain hippocampus cells

Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) is a neurotoxic substance, while coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is considered a lipid antioxidant. Herein, their effects on the molecular structure of lipids and the morphology of the hippocampus brain tissue were investigated. Three groups of Wistar albino male rats were used in this study. For four weeks, one group was kept as a control group; the second group was given AlCl₃; the third group was given AlCl₃/CoQ10. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and histopathological examinations were utilized to estimate alterations in the molecular structure of the lipids and the cell morphology, respectively. The FTIR spectra revealed considerable decreases in the CH contents and alterations in the molecular ratios of olefinic Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> CH/ν_as(CH₃), ν_as(CH₂)/ν_as(CH₃), and ν_as(CH₂)/[ν_as(CH₂) + ν_s(CH₂)] in the group given AlCl₃. However, no significant changes were detected in those rats given AlCl₃/CoQ10. Histopathology images uncovered shrinking and dark centers in the pyramidal cells of brain tissue hippocampal cells. The diameters of the pyramidal cells were estimated to be 4.81 ± 0.55 μm, 4.04 ± 0.71 μm, and 4.63 ± 0.71 μm for the control, AlCl₃, and AlCl₃/CoQ10 groups, respectively. The study showed that the AlCl₃ could cause a shrinking of around 16% in the hippocampus pyramidal cells; besides, CoQ10 is a powerful therapeutic antioxidant to help restore the hippocampal neurons to a regular state.

Although the AlCl₃ affected the molecular structure of lipids and the morphology of the brain hippocampus cells, the CoQ10 showed a powerful therapeutic antioxidant being helped restore the hippocampal neurons to their normal state.

Current Status and Future Opportunities of Omics Tools in Mycotoxin Research

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites of low molecular weight produced by filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium spp. Mycotoxins are natural contaminants of agricultural commodities and their prevalence may increase due to global warming. Dangerous mycotoxins cause a variety of health problems not only for humans, but also for animals. For instance, they possess carcinogenic, immunosuppressive, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and neurotoxic effects. Hence, various approaches have been used to assess and control mycotoxin contamination. Significant challenges still exist because of the complex heterogeneous nature of food composition. The potential of combined omics approaches such as metabolomics, genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics would contribute to our understanding about pathogen fungal crosstalk as well as strengthen our ability to identify, isolate, and characterise mycotoxins pre and post-harvest. Multi-omics approaches along with advanced analytical tools and chemometrics provide a complete annotation of such metabolites produced before/during the contamination of crops. We have assessed the merits of these individual and combined omics approaches and their promising applications to mitigate the issue of mycotoxin contamination. The data included in this review focus on aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and patulin and would be useful as benchmark information for future research.