Protective effect of berberine chloride on Plasmodium chabaudi-induced hepatic tissue injury in mice

AbstractThe present study aimed to investigate the protective role of berberine (BER) against Plasmodium chabaudi-induced infection in mice. Animals were divided into three groups. Group I served as a vehicle control. Group II and group III were infected with 1000 P. chabaudi infected erythrocytes. Group III was gavaged with 100μl of 10mg/kg berberine chloride for 10days. All mice were sacrificed at day 10 post-infection. The percentage of parasitemia was significantly reduced more than 30%, after treatment of mice with BER. Infection caused marked hepatic injuries as indicated by histopathological alterations as evidenced by the presence of hepatic lobular inflammatory cellular infiltrations, dilated sinusoids, vacuolated hepatocytes, increased number of Kupffer cells and the malaria pigment, hemozoin. These changes in livers led to the increased histological score. Also, infection induced a significant increase in liver alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and a significant increase in the total leucocytic count. Moreover, mice became anemic as proved by the significant decrease in erythrocyte number and haemoglobin content. BER showed a significant protective potential by improving the above mentioned parameters. Based on these results, it is concluded that berberine could offer protection against hepatic tissue damage

Pharmacological Activities of Graviola (Annona muricata): A Mini-Review

Graviola (Annona muricata) is one major member of the plant family, Annonaceae. It is cultivated in the tropical zones, particularly in Central and South America. Graviola is worldwide known for its natural medicinal effects. In this regards, graviola extracts are used in the treatment of different kinds of cancers such as pancreatic, breast, prostate, lung, and blood cancers. The exact mechanisms behinds the anticancer effects of graviola are not clearly defined. However, it was assumed that graviola-induced apoptotic effects, necrosis, and modulation of the proliferation patterns of the cancer cells are major mechanistic effects of Graviola. Interestingly, graviola is also known for its other beneficial effects such as its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic activities, and its wound healing effects. This mini review was undertaken to update and summarize the pharmacological activities of graviola

Clitoria ternatea extract-loaded chitosan nanoparticles ameliorate diabetes and oxidative stress in diabetic rats

501-515Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the expanding global health problems and is the most common metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, which significantly contributes to producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). More than 400 plant species with hypoglycemic activity have been mentioned in the literature. Clitoria ternatea (C. ternatea), often called Butterfly pea or Asian pigeonwing, is a plant species member of the Fabaceae family. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the methanolic extract of C. ternatea (CT-Mx)'s and/or chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CHNPs) antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects in normal and diabetic rats produced by streptozotocin (STZ). A total of 20 male albino rats had been divided into 4 groups, control non-diabetic (NC), STZ/diabetic control, STZ/diabetic + CT-Mx, and STZ/diabetic + CT-CHNPs groups. After 28 days, levels of insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation, and mRNA gene expression were assessed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were performed for pancreatic tissues. In the STZ/diabetic (Gp2) rats, levels of FBG, AST, ALT, and both CDKN1A and TP53 gene expression were significantly increased. Moreover, the hyperglycemia-induced hepatic oxidative state is evidenced by a significant increment of lipid peroxidation and deterioration in SOD and GSH levels. On the contrary, both the STZ/diabetic + CT-Mx and STZ/diabetic + CT-CHNPs showed discernible improvement in diabetes-associated complications; however, STZ/diabetic + CT-CHNPs (Gp4) rats significantly suppressed the generated oxidative stress and improved antioxidant activity, liver function, and insulin secretion. Also, their pancreatic section exhibited architecture with normal regenerative pancreatic endocrine islets with normal distribution and number of beta cells and suppressing inflammatory and apoptotic gene expression compared to Gp2. Nanocarrier agents showed excellent antihyperglycemic and effects after antioxidative, making it a promising technology for diabetics

Assessment of Circulating lncRNA H19 in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients and Its Correlation with Disease Activity

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in severe pain and stiffness in the joints. The causes and pathophysiology of AS are still largely unknown. The lncRNA H19 plays key roles in the pathogenesis of AS by mediating inflammatory progression by acting in the axis of IL-17A/IL-23. The aims of this study were determining the role of lncRNA H19 in AS and assessing its clinical correlation. A case–control study was conducted and qRT-PCR was utilized to measure H19 expression. Comparing AS cases to healthy controls, it was found that H19 expression was significantly upregulated. For AS prediction, H19 demonstrated a 81.1% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 90.6% diagnostic accuracy at a lncRNA H19 expression value of 1.41. lncRNA H19 had a significantly positive correlation with AS activity, MRI results, and inflammatory markers. lncRNA H19 seemed to be an independent predictor of AS (adjusted OR of 211 (95% CI: 4.7–939; p = 0.025)). After 3 months of clinical follow-up, seventeen patients (32.1%) showed minimal clinical improvement and fifteen patients (28.3%) showed major improvement. AS activity scores were significantly decreased in patients with high H19 expression. A significantly elevated lncRNA H19 expression was observed in AS cases compared with that in healthy controls. These results suggest that upregulation of lncRNA H19 expression may be involved in the pathogenesis of AS. The expression of the lncRNA H19 is related to the duration and activity of the disease. LncRNA H19 expression seems to be an independent predictor of AS