Malvidin attenuates behavioral and inhibits the TNF-α/Caspase-3/Nrf-2 expression in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease in rats: insights from molecular docking

OBJECTIVE

Malvidin is a natural, biologically active polyphenol found in several fruits. It exhibits several therapeutic benefits; however, limited studies are available on its effects on neurodegenerative clinical conditions, including Parkinson's disease. The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic properties of malvidin on rotenone-triggered Parkinson's disease in an animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To determine the effects of malvidin, rotenone (1.5 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously into Wistar rats for 21 days, followed by a dose of malvidin (200 and 100 mg/kg). Behavioral tests were performed on the experimental animals before sacrifice. On the 22nd day of the experiment, biochemical tests were performed, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT). The activity of neurotransmitters and their metabolites, including acetylcholine (ACh), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) along with neuroinflammatory markers including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) were estimated. Moreover, the level of the apoptotic marker, caspase-3, was also estimated. In addition, molecular docking was performed.

RESULTS

The administration of rotenone resulted in oxidative stress, cholinergic imbalances, dopaminergic alternations, and increased expression of inflammatory compounds. The docking analysis revealed that malvidin displayed a favorable binding affinity for AChE, showcasing a binding energy of -9.329 Kcal/mol.

CONCLUSIONS

The investigation concludes that malvidin exhibits neuroprotective effects due to its curative effects against inflammation and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that malvidin possesses therapeutic potential against rotenone-triggered behavioral, oxidative, and inflammatory abnormalities in rodents.

Butin attenuates behavioral disorders via cholinergic/BDNF/Caspase-3 pathway in scopolamine-evoked memory deficits in rats

OBJECTIVE

Recent research suggests that butin may also exert neuroprotective effects. However, its influence on cognitive performance and, specifically, its potential to mitigate scopolamine-induced memory impairment remains unexplored. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of butin on the cognitive and behavioral performance of rats with scopolamine-induced memory impairment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scopolamine-injected memory-impediment model in rats was used to determine the efficacy of butin in higher and lower doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) for 14 days. Y-maze, along with Morris water, was used to assess the ability to recall spatial and working information. Biochemistry-related functions such as acetylcholinesterase, choline acetyltransferase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione transferase, malonaldehyde, catalase, nitric oxide, and neurotransmitters levels were estimated as indicators of free radical damage. Furthermore, we evaluated neuro-inflammatory responses by assessing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and caspase-3 immuno-reactive proteins.

RESULTS

When assessed through behavioral paradigms, the butin-treated group enhanced the spatial and working memory of rodents. Scopolamine caused a substantial alteration in biochemical-related parameters, neuronal enzymatic, inflammation responses and apoptosis markers prominently restored by butin.

CONCLUSIONS

This study concludes that butin protects scopolamine-injected rats from behavioral impairments and neuronal damage by reducing apoptosis and neuroinflammation.

Fustin alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced anxiety-depression-like performances by modulation of oxidative stress/neuroinflammatory markers/ NF-κB/caspase-3/BDNF expression in rodents

OBJECTIVE

Anxiety and depression are common psychiatric disorders that affect millions of people worldwide. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterial endotoxin that has been demonstrated to cause depression and anxiety-like behaviors in animal models. Fustin is a flavonoid found in various plant species that have been reported to have neuroprotective effects. The study proposed the evaluation of fustin's impact on anxiety and depression in LPS-injected rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The efficacy of fustin in higher and lower doses was studied by administering a single dose of LPS-injected anxiety/depression in rodents. Behavioral models like the elevated plus maze test, open field test, marble burying test, force swimming test, tail suspension test, and hyperemotionality behavior were performed to evaluate anxiety/depression in rodents. The neuroinflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), apoptosis marker caspase-3, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were also measured as a part of the study. Additionally, biochemical markers of oxidative stress, such as malonaldehyde (MDA) and antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and nitric oxide (NO), were also evaluated.

RESULTS

LPS administration resulted in significant (p<0.001) changes in behavior tests and biochemical markers including IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, TNF-α, NO, caspase-3, BDNF, MDA, CAT, SOD, and GSH. In contrast, treating the rats with fustin significantly improved the behavior tests and restored the changes in biochemical markers.

CONCLUSIONS

The current work established the efficacy of fustin with its therapeutic impact on depression and anxiety-like behaviors in rodent experimental models through its modulation of apoptosis markers, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation.

Protective effect of barbigerone against ethanol-induced ulcers via the interleukins/ICAM-1/Bcl-2 pathway

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to assess the protective effects of barbigerone in ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats (180±20 g) were used in the study (n=06). The rats were randomly divided into different groups, i.e., the normal group, ethanol control, and barbigerone 10 and 20 mg/kg group. Various biochemical parameters were assessed - total acidity and pH values, oxidative stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT) along with markers, i.e., tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and expression of B-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Also, histopathology was performed.

RESULTS

Treatment with barbigerone in the ethanol-induced-ulcer rats restored the levels of biochemical parameters such as SOD, GSH, MDA, CAT, and markers expression, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, ICAM-1, and Bcl-2 with protected against cellular necrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Barbigerone protective effects can be attributed to its ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as promote gastroprotection against ethanol-induced ulcers in rats.

Chemopreventive effects of Melastoma malabathricum L. extract in mammary tumor model via inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effects of Melstoma malabathricum L. (MM) MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer and in vivo mammary tumor model and decipher the potential mechanism. The phyto-constituents in the extract have been identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The anti-cancer activity of MM extract was tested on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) was used for the induction of breast cancer in rodents. Burden, volume, tumor incidence, pro-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant parameters and mitochondrial parameters were estimated. Histological analysis was determined in mammary gland, vagina, uterus, heart, liver, lung and renal tissues. LC-MS showed the 21 phyto-constituents present in the extract of MM. MM extract showed the potent cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells and exhibited the IC₅₀ value (14.6 μM). MM extract significantly decreased the body weight and altered the organ weight such as ovary, uterus, liver, spleen, lungs, renal, adrenal and brain tissue. MM extract significantly down-regulated the tumor incidence, tumor burden and average tumor weight at dose dependently manner. MM extract significantly altered the antioxidants activity in term of augmented the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and suppressed the level of malonaldehyde (MDA); pro-inflammatory cytokines levels such as reduced the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum, hepatic and mammary gland tissue in DMBA induced mammary gland tumor rats. MM extract significantly (P < 0.001) enhanced the activity of mitochondrial parameters include Isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and alpha-keto glutaraldehyde dehydrogenase (α-KGDH). The histopathological finding exhibited that MM extract has a marked reduced effect on mammary glands, mammary gland, vagina, uterus, heart, liver, lung and renal.These data provide the scientific evidence that MM extract might be used as a traditional medicine to cure the breast cancer.

Therapeutic role of calcium and vitamin K3 in chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis - new tools for cancer treatment

HCC has been reported to be immensely occurring carcinoma worldwide. Recent days the mortality occurred due to liver cancer has also been found to be increased at an alarming speed affecting mostly the young patients. The aim of the current study was to decipher the role of calcium and vitamin K3 in the treatment of chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the male Wistar rats. Liver cancer was induced via a subnecrogenic dose of 160 mg/kg body weight, diethylnitrosamine (DENA) when associated with fasting/refeeding in male Wistar rats. It elevated the serum glutamate oxaloacetate (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total cholesterol (CH), triglycerides (TG), alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Histopathological examination of liver tissue showed marked carcinogenicity of the chemical carcinogen. Food, water intake and animal weights were also assessed, respectively. The animals exposed to DENA showed a significant decrease in the body weight. The elevated levels of serum SGOT, SGPT, ALP, AFP, TC and TG were restored by administration of calcium and Vit K (ad libitum) combination at higher dose than the normal dietary requirement (3 mg/kg) daily for 12 weeks p.o. Physiological and biochemical analysis showed the beneficial effects of calcium and vitamin K3 combination in the animals exposed to DENA. The results deciphered the beneficial effects of calcium and vitamin K3 in combination.

Deconvoluting the dual hypoglycemic effect of wedelolactone isolated fromWedelia calendulacea: investigationviaexperimental validation and molecular docking

Wedelia calendulacea has a long history of use in the Indian Ayurvedic System of Medicine for the treatment, prevention, and cure of a diverse range of human diseases such as diabetes obesity, and other metabolic diseases. A wide range of chemical constituents, such as triterpenoid saponin, kauren diterpene, and coumestans, has been isolated from the plant. Conversely, no published literature is available in relation to the isolation of wedelolactone (WEL) for its anti-diabetic effect. The aim of the present study was to isolate the bioactive phyto-constituent from Wedelia calendulacea and to scrutinize the antidiabetic effect with its possible mechanism of action. The structure of the isolated compound was elucidated by different spectroscopy techniques. Proteins, such as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPPIV), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ (PPARγ), were also subjected to in silico docking. Later, this isolated compound was scrutinized against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzyme activity along with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for estimation of glucose utilization. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used for the induction of type II diabetes mellitus (DM) in Wistar rats. The rats were divided into different groups and received the WEL (5, 10, and 20 mg kg⁻¹, b.w.) and glibenclamide (2.5 mg kg⁻¹, b.w.) for 28 days. The blood glucose level (BGL), plasma insulin, and body weight were determined at regular time intervals. The serum lipid profile hypolipidemic effect for the different antioxidant markers and hepatic tissue markers were scrutinized along with an inflammatory mediator to deduce the possible mechanism. With the help of spectroscopy techniques, the isolated compound was identified as wedelolactone. In the docking study, WEL showed docking scores of −6.17, −9.43, and −7.66 against DPP4, GLUTI, and PRARY, respectively. WEL showed the inhibition of α-glucosidase (80.65%) and α-amylase (93.83%) and suggested an effect on postprandial hyperglycemia. In the OGTT, WEL significantly (P < 0.001) downregulated the BGL, a marker for better utilization of drugs. In the diabetes model, WEL reduced the BGL and enhanced the plasma insulin and body weight. It also significantly (P < 0.001) modulated the lipid profile; this suggested an anti-hyperlipidemia effect. WEL significantly (P < 0.001) distorted the hepatic tissue, acting as an antioxidant marker in a dose-dependent manner. WEL significantly (P < 0.001) downregulated the C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) level. On the basis of the available results, we can conclude that WEL can be an alternative drug for the treatment of type II DM either by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediator or by the downregulation of oxidative stress.

Wedelia calendulacea has a long history of use in the Indian Ayurvedic System of Medicine for the treatment, prevention, and cure of a diverse range of human diseases such as diabetes obesity, and other metabolic diseases.

Melastoma malabathricum Linn attenuates complete freund's adjuvant-induced chronic inflammation in Wistar rats via inflammation response

BACKGROUND

Natural products use for arthritis treatment is gaining importance in the medical worldt. Various studies reports medical importance of Melastoma malabathricum Linn. (MM) (Melastomataceae), also known as "putki," has a broad range of health benefits, for its free radical scavenging constituents. The current investigation scrutinizes the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of MM against adjuvant-induced arthritis in experimental rats.

METHODS

High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used for estimation of phytochemical-constituents present in the MM extract. Protective effect of MM extract in Wistar rats was estimated using CFA-induced model. The rats were divided into different groups with six rats in each group. All animals received oral administration of MM and indomethacin for 28 days. The body weight and arthritic score were scrutinized at regular intervals. At the end of experimental protocol, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were used for antioxidant, hematological parameters, pro-inflammatory and inflammatory mediator, respectively. Histopathological observation was used to evaluate the protective effect of MM extract.

RESULT & DISCUSSION

Current study confirmed the preventive effect of MM against adjuvant-induced paw edema, paw redness and arthritic progression. MM significantly (P < 0.001) modulated the oxidative stress parameters as well as hematological parameter induced by CFA. The result also altered the distorted level of proinflammatory mediators and inflammatory mediator, which further reinforce the implication of MM in CFA induced arthritis. Histological analyses of joints of rats showed a reduction in the synovial hyperplasia and mononuclear infiltration in the MM treated group which provides evidence for the antiarthritic effect of MM.

CONCLUSION

From above parameters our study states that the MM is capable of restraining the alteration produced via adjuvant-induced arthritis in aminals. The repressing effect of MM could be attributed, at least in part, to antioxidant, hematological and anti-inflammatory effect. Figure Caption: Melastoma Malabathricum Linn Attenuates Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Chronic Inflammation in Wistar rats by Inflammation Response.

Paederia foetida Linn. inhibits adjuvant induced arthritis by suppression of PGE(2) and COX-2 expression via nuclear factor-κB

The current investigation was undertaken to determine the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Paederia foetida Linn. (PF) along with its mechanism of action when implemented in tissue protection. HPTLC was used in the identification of the compound quercetin, while in vitro analysis confirmed the significance of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action of PF. We initially demonstrated the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of PF, evaluating it against a variety of phlogistic agents as well as turpentine oil, prostaglandin and arachidonic acid. Groups of rats, fasted overnight, were treated as follows: Group I: normal control (vehicle), Group II: PF (100 mg kg(-1)), Group III: arthritic control (CFA only, 0.05 ml), Group IV, V, VI: CFA (0.05 ml) + PF (25, 50 and 100 mg kg(-1)) and Group VII: CFA (0.05 ml) + indomethacin (10 mg per kg b.w.). PF significantly protected against paw edema, arthritic index and body weight alteration induced by Complete Fruend's Adjuvant (CFA). Other observations, like histological and macroscopic changes, were observed in CFA induced inflammation in knee joints. Subcutaneous administration of CFA was accompanied by proinflammatory cytokine status, as appraised by the amplification of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α); oxidative stress status was estimated by the enhancement of the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the depletion of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH). Pre-treatment with PF significantly (P < 0.001) protected against CFA induced oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines. More prominently, CFA administration augmented tissue and plasma superoxide (O2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels, while the PF pre-treatment significantly (P < 0.001) reversed all CFA induced intracellular interruption. Following CFA induced arthritis, PF was tested for its free radical scavenging activity against the DPPH and ABTS radicals and its inhibitory proficiency against COX-1 and COX-2 in vitro. Considering the above, the current research confirmed momentous protection against CFA induced arthritis, which could be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and pro-oxidant nature.

Correction: Umbelliferone β-d-galactopyranoside exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by attenuating COX-1 and COX-2

Correction for ‘Umbelliferone β-d-galactopyranoside exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by attenuating COX-1 and COX-2’ by Vikas Kumar et al., Toxicol. Res., 2015, 4, 1072–1084.

Umbelliferone β-d-galactopyranoside inhibits chemically induced renal carcinogenesis via alteration of oxidative stress, hyperproliferation and inflammation: possible role of NF-κB

Umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin) compound possesses strong anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activity.

Umbelliferone β-d-galactopyranoside exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by attenuating COX-1 and COX-2

Umbelliferone β-d-galactopyranoside (UFG) is a coumarin found in many plants. This study examines the anti-inflammatory potential of UFG on chronic inflammation induced by Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA) in experimental rats.