Effect of Three Piper species on Oxidative stress induced by High Cholesterol diet in Hamsters

Considering that studies have shown that high cholesterol diet can induce oxidative stress which would aid in the progression of atherosclerosis, our immediate objective was to determine the effect of the three piper species on oxidative stress in the cardiac, hepatic and renal tissues induced by high cholesterol diet in hamsters. For this study, the hamsters of 50± 10g were classified into eight groups, an untreated control with normal diet and an atherosclerotic control (0.2% cholesterol / 10% coconut oil). The six other experimental groups were fed with hypercholesterolemic atherogenic diet with different doses of the pepper extract: P. nigrum, P.guineense and P.umbellatum (1g/ and 10g/kg extract) for twelve weeks. The heart, liver and kidney from each group were analyzed for lipid profile and enzymatic activity. The biochemical assay for lipid profile in the heart and liver showed significant elevated levels of cholesterol and phospholipid in the hypercholesterolemic fed hamsters across the board. The lipid peroxidation level in normal and hypercholesterolemic hamsters supplemented with the piper species (antioxidant defenses) was decreased compared to those in the atherosclerotic control. There were significant increases in the heart enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase all across the atherosclerotic group compared to the normal diet control group. However in the kidney, the glutathione reductase had an increase in the level of activities in the atherosclerotic group but not the superoxide dismutase and catalase. Consequently, this study confirms the antioxidant activity of the three herbal piper species as an effective therapeutic for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Inhibition of the Sodium Calcium Exchanger Suppresses Alcohol Withdrawal-Induced Seizure Susceptibility

Calcium influx plays important roles in the pathophysiology of seizures, including acoustically evoked alcohol withdrawal-induced seizures (AWSs). One Ca2+ influx route of interest is the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) that, when operating in its reverse mode (NCXrev) activity, can facilitate Ca2+ entry into neurons, possibly increasing neuronal excitability that leads to enhanced seizure susceptibility. Here, we probed the involvement of NCXrev activity on AWS susceptibility by quantifying the effects of SN-6 and KB-R7943, potent blockers of isoform type 1 (NCX1rev) and 3 (NCX3rev), respectively. Male, adult Sprague–Dawley rats were used. Acoustically evoked AWSs consisted of wild running seizures (WRSs) that evolved into generalized tonic–clonic seizures (GTCSs). Quantification shows that acute SN-6 treatment at a relatively low dose suppressed the occurrence of the GTCSs (but not WRSs) component of AWSs and markedly reduced the seizure severity. However, administration of KB-R7943 at a relatively high dose only reduced the incidence of GTCSs. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of NCX1rev activity is a putative mechanism for the suppression of alcohol withdrawal-induced GTCSs

Inhibition of the sodium calcium exchanger suppresses alcohol withdrawal-induced seizure susceptibility

Calcium influx plays important roles in the pathophysiology of seizures, including acoustically evoked alcohol withdrawal-induced seizures (AWSs). One Ca2+ influx route of interest is the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) that, when operating in its reverse mode (NCXrev) activity, can facilitate Ca2+ entry into neurons, possibly increasing neuronal excitability that leads to enhanced seizure susceptibility. Here, we probed the involvement of NCXrev activity on AWS susceptibility by quantifying the effects of SN-6 and KB-R7943, potent blockers of isoform type 1 (NCX1rev) and 3 (NCX3rev), respectively. Male, adult Sprague–Dawley rats were used. Acoustically evoked AWSs con-sisted of wild running seizures (WRSs) that evolved into generalized tonic–clonic seizures (GTCSs). Quantification shows that acute SN-6 treatment at a relatively low dose suppressed the occurrence of the GTCSs (but not WRSs) component of AWSs and markedly reduced the seizure severity. However, administration of KB-R7943 at a relatively high dose only reduced the incidence of GTCSs. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of NCX1rev activity is a putative mechanism for the suppression of alcohol withdrawal-induced GTCSs

Relevance of the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Curcumin in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Depression

This review is an attempt to summarize our current understanding of curcumin’s potential as a neuroprotectant and an antidepressant. This dual property confers a unique advantage to this herbal medication, believed to be devoid of any major side effects, to combat commonly observed co-morbid conditions of a neurodegenerative and a neuropsychiatric disorder. Moreover, in line with the theme of this series, the role of inflammation and stress in these diseases and possible anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin, as well as its interaction with signal transduction proteins as a common denominator in its varied mechanisms of action, are also discussed. Thus, following a brief introduction of curcumin’s pharmacology, we present research suggesting how its anti-inflammatory properties have therapeutic potential in treating a devastating neurological disorder (Parkinson’s disease = PD) and a debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder = MDD). It is concluded that curcumin, or better yet, an analog with better and longer bioavailability could be of important therapeutic potential in PD and/or major depression