Antifibrogenic Influence of Mentha piperita

Essential oils of some aromatic plants provide an effective nonmedicinal option to control liver fibrosis. Mentha piperita L. essential oil (MPEO) have been reported to possess protective effects against hepatotoxicity. However, its effect against liver fibrosis remains unknown. The present study investigated the antifibrogenic potential of MPEO and its underlying mechanisms. Forty male rats divided into 4 groups were used: group 1 served as normal control, group 2 (liver fibrosis) received CCl4 (2.5 mL/kg, IP, twice weekly) for 8 weeks, group 3 concurrently received CCl4 plus MPEO (50 mg/kg, IP, daily, from the 3rd week), and group 4 received MPEO only. MPOE significantly improved the liver injury markers, lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant capacity, CYP2E1 gene expressionand liver histology. Furthermore, MPOE ameliorated liver fibrosis as evidenced by the reduced expression of desmin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and SMAD3 proteins. In addition, MPOE counteracted the p53 upregulation induced by CCl4 at both mRNA and protein levels. In conclusion, MPOE could effectively attenuate hepatic fibrosis mainly through improving the redox status, suppressing p53 and subsequently modulating TGF-β1 and SMAD3 protein expression. These data promote the use of MPOE as a promising approach in antifibrotic therapy

El efecto del uso de granos de kéfir y células madre mesenquimales en el modelo neuroinflamatorio de la enfermedad de Alzheimer inducida por LPS

La enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) se caracteriza por una acumulación severa de placas amiloides y ovillos neurofibrilares acompañados de disfunciones cognitivas severas que conducen a cambios importantes que afectan la calidad del patrón de vida diaria del paciente. El objetivo del presente estudio es investigar los efectos de la administración de células madre mesenquimales (MSC) y/o granos de kéfir de leche en el modelo de tipo neuroinflamatorio de EA inducida por LPS de manera alternativa. Se observó que una elevación significativa del perfil lipídico y el estrés oxidativo estaban relacionados con EA de tipo neuroinflamatoria inducida con LPS. La expresión del gen BDNF, Bcl-2 y seladin-1 también se redujo significativamente en ratas con EA, mientras que la expresión relativa de Bax aumentó significativamente. La administración de granos de kéfir de leche y/o MSC suprimió los inconvenientes de la EA incluyendo cambios de comportamiento y memoria. Conclusión: La administración previa y la coadministración de granos de kéfir de leche con MSC pueden actuar como un neuromodulador activo que atenúa el proceso inflamatorio patológico subyacente que acompaña a la EA, lo que resulta en la progresión de daños en el tejido cerebra

Hepatocyte Growth Factor Mediates the Antifibrogenic Action of Ocimum bacilicum Essential Oil against CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

The current investigation aimed to evaluate the antifibrogenic potential of Ocimum basilicum essential oil (OBE) and further to explore some of its underlying mechanisms. Three groups of rats were used: group I (control), group II (CCl4 model) and group III (OBE-treated) received CCl4 and OBE 2 weeks after the start of CCl4 administration. Oxidative damage was assessed by the measurement of MDA, NO, SOD, CAT, GSH and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Liver fibrosis was assessed histopathologically by Masson’s trichrome staining and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunostaining. Expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and cytochrome P450 (CYP2EI isoform) was estimated using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. OBE successfully attenuated liver injury, as shown by histopathology, decreased serum transaminases and improved oxidative status of the liver. Reduced collagen deposition and α-SMA immuopositive cells indicated an abrogation of hepatic stellate cell activation by OBE. Furthermore, OBE was highly effective in stimulating HGF mRNA and protein expression and inhibiting CCl4-induced CYP2E1 down-regulation. The mechanism of antifibrogenic action of OBE is hypothesized to proceed via scavenging free radicals and activating liver regeneration by induction of HGF. These data suggest the use of OBE as a complementary treatment in liver fibrosis