Ameliorative effect of vitamin E on potassium dichromate-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

AbstractHexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)]-mediated oxidative stress causes severe hepatic toxicity. This study aims to investigate the protective role of oral vitamin E administration against potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7)-induced hepatotoxicity. Adult male rats (Rattus norvegicus, n=24) weighing 150–180g were used and divided into 4 groups (n=6 per group): the control group received distilled water; control+vitamin E group received vitamin E (100mg/kg b.w.); Cr group received K2Cr2O7 (8mg/kg b.w.), and Cr+vitamin E group received K2Cr2O7+vitamin E. All treatments were administered orally on a daily basis for 6weeks.There was a significant accumulation of Cr in the livers of the Cr group compared with the control group. In addition, exposure to K2Cr2O7 induced significant increases in the level of thiobarbituric-reactive substances (TBARS) and significant decreases in glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the Cr group compared with the control group. Moreover, livers of the Cr group showed major histological alterations, such as severe necrosis, increased lymphocytic infiltration, and a significant decrease in the DNA content. Oral vitamin E administration concomitant with K2Cr2O7 ameliorated all these changes and resulted in normal hepatic histological and cellular contents. In conclusion, oral vitamin E administration has a hepatoprotective role against K2Cr2O7-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Phytoprotective and Antioxidant Effects of German Chamomile Extract against Dimpylate-Induced Hepato-Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Dimpylate is one of the most organophosphorus widely used insecticides in agriculture. This study aims to investigate the ameliorative effect of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) on the hepato-nephrotoxicity induced by Dimpylate in male Wistar rats.  Rats  were divided into 4 groups: Control group, received  corn oil alone; Chamomile group, orally given water extract of Chamomile (300 mg/kg b.wt./day for 30 days); Dimpylate group, orally given 15 mg/kg b.wt./day for 30 days of Dimpylate; and Dimpylate and chamomile group,  orally given Dimpylate (15 mg/kg b.wt./day) with Chamomile extract (300 mg/kg b.wt./day) for 30 days. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status were estimated in the liver and kidney of all groups. In the liver and kidney of the Dimpylate-intoxicated rats, there was an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and a significant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TCA), glutathione-peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GSH-R) and Glutathione–S-transferase (GST). In addition, significant increases in serum liver function marker enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) were recorded in Dimpylate intoxicated rats as compared to control group. Moreover, significant increase in serum total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels was observed in Dimpylate group as compared to control group. Serum total protein was decreased significantly in Dimpylate intoxicated rats as compared to the control group. Renal products; urea and creatinine were significantly elevated in in Dimpylate group compared to the control group. Dimpylate treated animals also revealed a significant increase in serum biochemical parameters as well as hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation but caused an inhibition in antioxidant biomarkers. normalized the elevated serum levels of AST, ALT, APL, uric acid, urea and creatinine. Furthermore, it reduced dimpylate-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in a dose dependent manner. Therefore, it could be concluded that Chomomile extract administration able to minimize the toxic effects of dimpylate by its free radical-scavenging and potent antioxidant activity. Co-administration of the Chamomile aqueous extract with Dimpylate could attenuate the all the disrupted measured parameters in liver and kidney tissued. Therefore, it could be concluded that the chamomile aqueous extract has antioxidant and protective property againsit Dimpylate hepato-nephrotoxicity Keywords: Dimpylate, Chamomile, hepato-nephrotoxicity, Antioxidant

Cold-Active Enzymes and Their Potential Industrial Applications—A Review

More than 70% of our planet is covered by extremely cold environments, nourishing a broad diversity of microbial life. Temperature is the most significant parameter that plays a key role in the distribution of microorganisms on our planet. Psychrophilic microorganisms are the most prominent inhabitants of the cold ecosystems, and they possess potential cold-active enzymes with diverse uses in the research and commercial sectors. Psychrophiles are modified to nurture, replicate, and retain their active metabolic activities in low temperatures. Their enzymes possess characteristics of maximal activity at low to adequate temperatures; this feature makes them more appealing and attractive in biotechnology. The high enzymatic activity of psychrozymes at low temperatures implies an important feature for energy saving. These enzymes have proven more advantageous than their mesophilic and thermophilic counterparts. Therefore, it is very important to explore the efficiency and utility of different psychrozymes in food processing, pharmaceuticals, brewing, bioremediation, and molecular biology. In this review, we focused on the properties of cold-active enzymes and their diverse uses in different industries and research areas. This review will provide insight into the areas and characteristics to be improved in cold-active enzymes so that potential and desired enzymes can be made available for commercial purposes

Cold-Active Enzymes and Their Potential Industrial Applications—A Review

More than 70% of our planet is covered by extremely cold environments, nourishing a broad diversity of microbial life. Temperature is the most significant parameter that plays a key role in the distribution of microorganisms on our planet. Psychrophilic microorganisms are the most prominent inhabitants of the cold ecosystems, and they possess potential cold-active enzymes with diverse uses in the research and commercial sectors. Psychrophiles are modified to nurture, replicate, and retain their active metabolic activities in low temperatures. Their enzymes possess characteristics of maximal activity at low to adequate temperatures; this feature makes them more appealing and attractive in biotechnology. The high enzymatic activity of psychrozymes at low temperatures implies an important feature for energy saving. These enzymes have proven more advantageous than their mesophilic and thermophilic counterparts. Therefore, it is very important to explore the efficiency and utility of different psychrozymes in food processing, pharmaceuticals, brewing, bioremediation, and molecular biology. In this review, we focused on the properties of cold-active enzymes and their diverse uses in different industries and research areas. This review will provide insight into the areas and characteristics to be improved in cold-active enzymes so that potential and desired enzymes can be made available for commercial purposes

Zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared through microbial mediated synthesis for therapeutic applications: a possible alternative for plants

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) synthesized through biogenic methods have gained significant attention due to their unique properties and potential applications in various biological fields. Unlike chemical and physical approaches that may lead to environmental pollution, biogenic synthesis offers a greener alternative, minimizing hazardous environmental impacts. During biogenic synthesis, metabolites present in the biotic sources (like plants and microbes) serve as bio-reductants and bio-stabilizers. Among the biotic sources, microbes have emerged as a promising option for ZnO-NPs synthesis due to their numerous advantages, such as being environmentally friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible. Various microbes like bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, and yeast can be employed to synthesize ZnO-NPs. The synthesis can occur either intracellularly, within the microbial cells, or extracellularly, using proteins, enzymes, and other biomolecules secreted by the microbes. The main key advantage of biogenic synthesis is manipulating the reaction conditions to optimize the preferred shape and size of the ZnO-NPs. This control over the synthesis process allows tailoring the NPs for specific applications in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, environmental remediation, and more. Some potential applications include drug delivery systems, antibacterial agents, bioimaging, biosensors, and nano-fertilizers for improved crop growth. While the green synthesis of ZnO-NPs through microbes offers numerous benefits, it is essential to assess their toxicological effects, a critical aspect that requires thorough investigation to ensure their safe use in various applications. Overall, the presented review highlights the mechanism of biogenic synthesis of ZnO-NPs using microbes and their exploration of potential applications while emphasizing the importance of studying their toxicological effects to ensure a viable and environmentally friendly green strategy

Role of Matricaria recutita L. and Asparagus officinalis L. against the neurotoxicity of diazinon in rats

Diazinon (DZN) is an organophosphorus insecticide widely used in agriculture. It has a variety of harmful effects on humans. Asparagus and chamomile have antioxidant properties and are used as antidotes of DZN in this study. Thirty-five adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into: control group; DZN group: subdivided into two subgroups which received ¼ LD50 and ½ LD50 dose of DZN for 30 days; DZN and asparagus extract group: subdivided into two subgroups which received ¼ LD50 and ½ LD50 dose of DZN respectively and treated with asparagus extract (300 mg/kg b. wt.) after 15 min of DZN administration; DZN and chamomile extract group: subdivided into two subgroups receiving DZN respectively and treated with chamomile extract (300 mg/kg b. wt.). The results herein showed that the antioxidant enzyme changes associated with the exposure to DZN are dose dependant in cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord tissues. The tumorigenicity of DZN was represented by the significant increase of arginase and the alpha-l-fucosidase in sera of all DZN groups. In addition, the molecular changes were investigated by the changes in Cu/Zn-dependent superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes that were altered after administration of DZN to rats. Present findings suggest that oral administration of aqueous extracts of asparagus or chamomile is able to restore the total antioxidant capacity, as demonstrated by the increase of superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione content and their relative enzymes in the investigated tissues. Due to their antioxidant activities, asparagus and chamomile are potential candidates as anti-neurotoxic agents

Acylated Ghrelin Renders Chemosensitive Ovarian Cancer Cells Resistant to Cisplatin Chemotherapy via Activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Survival Pathway

This study investigated the effect of acylated synthetic ghrelin (AG) on the survival and proliferation of human chemosensitive ovarian cancer cells (A2780) and explored some mechanisms of action with a focus on the p53 apoptotic pathway and PI3K/Akt and NF-κB survival pathways. Human A2780 ovarian cancer cells were cultured with or without AG treatment in the presence or absence of cisplatin. In some cases, cisplatin+AG-treated cells were pre-incubated either with [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6, a ghrelin receptor antagonist, or with LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. mRNA of ghrelin receptors(GHS-R1a and GHS-R1b), as well as, protein levels of GHS-R1a, were expressed abundantly in A2780 cells. AG treatment did not affect the mRNA and protein levels of GHS-R1a and GHS-R1b in both control and Cis-treated cells. However, while AG treatment had no effect on control cell viability, it significantly increased cell viability and proliferation and inhibited cell death in Cis-treated cells. In both control and Cis-treated cells, AG treatment significantly increased PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and enhanced the nuclear accumulation of NF-κB. Concomitantly, in both control and Cis-treated cells, AG significantly lowered the protein levels of p53, p-p53 (Ser16), PUMA, cytochrome C, and cleaved caspase-3. Interestingly, pre-incubating the cells with either [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 or LY294002 completely abolished the above-mentioned effect of AG in both control and Cis-treated cells. In conclusion, the findings of this study show that AG promotes cell survival of the OC cells and renders them resistat to Cis therapy, an effect that is mediated by the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and activation of NF-κB, and requires GHS-R1a

Antidiabetic activity of methanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. fruit in alloxan-induced Swiss albino diabetic mice

The majority of natural diabetic medications come from fruits and vegetables. These natural medications help protect humans from negative impacts of chemical antidiabetics by scavenging free radicals. The present study aimed to explore the antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of methanolic extract of fruits of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (MEHSF) in alloxan-induced Swiss albino diabetic mice. The dried coarse powder of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. fruits was subjected to methanol extraction. The antidiabetic activity was determined by using alloxan-induced (80 mg/kg body weight) diabetic mice. Following a 15-day treatment period, serum biochemical parameters including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TAG), LDL-cholesterol (LDL), HDL-cholesterol (HDL), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) enzymes were estimated. The antioxidant activity was evaluated through a DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assay. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were assessed using established methods. MESHF, containing polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds, exhibited antioxidant properties. A 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the blood glucose levels and improved biochemical parameters such as TC, TAG, LDL, and HDL in diabetic mice. Further, MESHF significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the activity of the SGPT and SGOT in diabetic mice compared to untreated diabetic mice. These results suggest that MEHSF with promising antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials can be considered to be a probable new resource of the antidiabetic agent