Blueberry and cranberry extracts mitigate CCL4-induced liver damage, suppressing liver fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress

The current study aims to evaluate potential hepatoprotective effect of lingonberry, cranberry and blueberry polyphenols on carbon tetrachloride (CCL-4)-induced acute and subacute liver injury in rats. A total of 55 male Wistar rats, divided into six experimental and control groups. With the exception of the negative control group, all groups received an intraperitoneal injection of CCl-4, twice a week for 14 days. An extract of lingonberry, cranberry, blueberry polyphenols and the positive control, silymarin were administered daily via intragastric route, for 14 consecutive days. The untreated control group showed characteristic of classical oxidative stress-mediated liver damage with vacuolization of the hepatocyte cytoplasm, infiltration by immune cells and proliferation of collagen fibers, decrease in body weight and increase in liver weight; increased levels of AST and ALT in serum, an increased lipid peroxidation in the liver. However, the use of cranberry and blueberry polyphenols significantly suppressed liver damage, exerting an effect comparable to the hepatoprotective effect of the positive control. The extracts prevented and reduced inflammatory liver damage by reducing IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels. In conclusion, blueberry and cranberry extracts have a protective effect against acute and subacute CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

CYTOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF NEWLY SYNTHESIZED 3-(ARYLMETHYLAMINO)-6-METHYL-4-PHENYLPYRIDIN-2(1H)-ONES DERIVATIVES

Currently, studies are being conducted on the possible role of the cytoprotective effect of biologically active substances in conditions of cerebral hypoxia or cardiomyopathies. At the same time, oxidative stress is considered one of the important mechanisms of cellular cytotoxicity and a target for the action of cytoprotectors. The aim of this study is to search for derivatives of 3-(arylmethylamino)-6-methyl-4-phenylpyridin-2(1H)-ones. The probability of cytoprotective action was assessed by measuring cell viability using two tests (with neutral red dye and MTT test). It was found that some derivatives of 3-(arylmethylamino)-6-methyl-4-phenylpyridin-2(1H)-ones under the conditions of our experiment had a pronounced cytoprotective activity, providing better cell survival in vitro, including the MTT test and conditions of blood hyperviscosity. To correlate the obtained results in vitro, molecular docking of the synthesized derivatives was also carried out. The standard drug omeprazole (co-crystallized with the enzyme) was used as a standard. It was shown that all synthesized derivatives of 3-(arylmethylamino)-6-methyl-4-phenylpyridin-2(1H)-ones had higher affinity for the selected protein than the standard gastro-cytoprotector omeprazole. The studied derivatives of 3-(arylmethylamino)-6-methyl-4-phenylpyridin-2(1H)-ones also fully satisfy Lipinski’s rule of five (RO5), which increases their chances for possible use as orally active drugs with good absorption ability and moderate lipophilicity. Thus, the results obtained make it possible to evaluate derivatives of 3-(arylmethylamino)-6-methyl-4-phenylpyridin-2(1H)-ones as having a relatively high cytoprotective potential

POLYPHENOLS AS CALORIC-RESTRICTION MIMETICS AND AUTOPHAGY INDUCERS IN AGING RESEARCH

It has been thought that caloric restriction favors longevity and healthy aging where autophagy plays a vital role. However, autophagy decreases during aging and that can lead to the development of aging-associated diseases such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration, etc. It was shown that autophagy can be induced by mechanical or chemical stress. In this regard, various pharmacological compounds were proposed, including natural polyphenols. Apart from the ability to induce autophagy, polyphenols, such as resveratrol, are capable of modulating the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic factors, neutralizing free radical species, affecting mitochondrial functions, chelating redox-active transition metal ions, and preventing protein aggregation. Moreover, polyphenols have advantages compared to chemical inducers of autophagy due to their intrinsic natural bio-compatibility and safety. In this context, polyphenols can be considered as a potential therapeutic tool for healthy aging either as a part of a diet or as separate compounds (supplements). This review discusses the epigenetic aspect and the underlying molecular mechanism of polyphenols as an anti-aging remedy. In addition, the recent advances of studies on NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) regulation of autophagy, the role of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in cells senescence and their regulation by polyphenols have been highlighted as well. Apart from that, the review also revised the latest information on how polyphenols can help to improve mitochondrial function and modulate apoptosis (programmed cell death)

ANTIPROLIFERATIVE AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF GERANIACEAE PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST FIVE TUMOR CELL LINES

Several plant species of the genera Geranium and Erodium were extracted and screened against five tumor cell lines for their potential antitumor activities. Out of the tested species, four showed potential antitumor action against all the tumor cells used. Interestingly, they appeared to achieve their antitumor activities by inducing important cellular defense mechanisms called autophagy and apoptosis. The current work is the first to test the antiproliferative potential of these species against different tumor cells

The Effect of Different Glucose Concentrations on the Antiproliferative Activity of Metformin in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

The glucose-lowering drug metformin has been reported to have anticancer properties through unknown mechanisms. Other unknown factors that may influence its anticancer potential include the glycemic status of the patient. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the effect of different glucose environments on the antiproliferative potency and the cellular mechanism of action of metformin. Human breast cancer cells, MCF-7, were incubated in low, normal, elevated, and high glucose environments and treated with metformin. The antiproliferative potential of metformin and its effect on protein expression as well as its ability to induce cellular apoptosis and autophagy under different glucose environments, were determined using different molecular techniques. Metformin significantly inhibited cellular proliferation in a time- and glucose-concentration-dependent manner. In comparison to elevated glucose, low normal glucose alone induced a significant level of autophagy that was further increased in the presence of metformin. While glucose concentration did not appear to have an effect on the antiproliferative potency of metformin, the cellular basis of action was shown to be glucose-dependent. The antiproliferative mechanism of action of metformin in elevated and low normal glucose environments is mTOR-dependent, whereas, in the high glucose environment, the antiproliferative mechanism is independent of mTOR. This is the first study to report that both the antiproliferative potency and the cellular mechanism of action aredependent on the concentration of glucose

ANTIRADICAL AND CYTOPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF ALLIUM NUTANS L. HONEY AGAINST CCL4-INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE IN RATS

The aim of this study is determine the in vitro and in vivo antiradical properties and the cytoprotective activity of Allium nutans L. honey extract. The antiradical properties of the extracts were investigated in rabbit alveolar macrophages and human foreskin fibroblast (hFFs) cells in the presence of doxorubicin, a cytotoxic substance using DPPH and ABTS assays. The cytoprotective activities were determined using 18 Wistar rats divided into three different groups, a negative control, and two other groups with experimentally induced hepatotoxicity by a single intraperitoneal injection of 50% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) oil solution. A positive control group, received drinking water only and an experimental group that was treated with Allium nutans L. honey extracts for 7 days. In vitro treatment with Allium nutans L. honey extracts resulted in 78% reduction in radical activity in DPPH and 91.6% inhibition using the ABTS. Also, honey extracts were able to preserve 100% of cell viability in the presence of the cytotoxic, doxorubicin. Furthermore, the treatment with honey extracts resulted in a significant reduction in damage to the structure of liver tissue, as well significant reduction in the levels of ALT and AST in the experimental group compared to the control group

Red blood cell ghosts as promising drug carriers to target wound infections

Abstract Autologous red blood cell ghosts (RBC ghosts) can carry cytokines to the sites of inflammation. The targeting moiety of the RBC ghosts is associated with the nature of purulent inflammation, where the erythrocytes are phagocyted and encapsulated drugs are released. In the present study we have investigated the healing potential of RBC ghosts loaded with cytokine IL-1β and antibiotic. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic properties of RBC ghosts loaded with IL-1β were studied. 35 Male Wistar rats (250–300g) were used in the pharmacokinetic study and in a wound infection model where a suspension of Staphylococcus aureus was placed into a surgical cut of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in the femoral region. In order to monitor progression of the wound repair processes, wound swabs or aspiration biopsies were taken for analyses on the 1st–6th days. Wound repair dynamics assessment was based on suppression of S. aureus growth, signs of pain, time of disappearance of pus and infiltration around the wound. Visual observations, as well as microbiological and cytological analysis of wound exudates demonstrated a significant acceleration of healing processes in a group of animals treated with a local injection of IL-1β and ceftriaxone encapsulated into RBC ghosts when compared to the animals treated either with a local or IM injection of free drugs. For the pharmacokinetic study, single IV injections of either free or encapsulated IL-1β were made and the concentration of IL-1β in serum samples and tissue homogenates were determined. Encapsulation in RBC ghosts improved pharmacokinetic profiles of IL-1β by increasing the half-life, reducing its clearance, and increasing the deposition of the drug in the liver, spleen and lungs. These data suggest that RBC ghosts are effective drug carriers for targeted delivery of cytokines to the sites of inflammation, and have a potential for improving the treatment outcomes of purulent diseases

Comparison of Phenolic Content in Cabernet Sauvignon and Saperavi Wines

Several studies reveal that the phenolic compounds present in the wine and their concentrations determine physiological activities of the red wine. In this study, the main polyphenol components, including hydroxycinnamic acids, flavones, flavan-3-ols and stilbenoids, were investigated via HLPC-UV in the “Cabernet Sauvignon” and “Saperavi” wines selected from different regions and different years. In assistance of a meta-analysis, we found that there are no fundamental differences in phenolic compounds between the wines Cabernet Sauvignon and Saperavi. However, the amounts of several important phenolic materials such as catechin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid and myricetin significantly higher in Saperavi wine as compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Moreover, on the basis of the correlation analysis, we assume that flavones synthesis and regulation of stilbenoids coordinated to a greater extent in “Saperavi” than in “Cabernet Sauvignon”

GUT MODULATION OF DYSBIOSIS INDUCED BY DEXTRAN SULFATE SODIUM

Inflammatory bowel disease is one of the serious burdens of clinical medicine and healthcare. This study investigated the potential of a biological product based on mare's milk and metabolites of symbiotic microflora for modulation of intestinal microflora affected by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced dysbiosis. Symbiotic microflora was isolated from the stool of healthy volunteers. Lysates for the production of short-chain fatty acids of screened microorganisms were mixed with mare's milk. The activity of the biological product was evaluated on the DSS model of induced colitis. Histological changes in the intestinal epithelium were determined. The structure of the microbiome was evaluated based on the analysis of 16S rRNA microbial sequences. Histological examination of rat intestinal tissues after application of the biological product showed reduced infiltration of granulocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes. The results of sequencing demonstrated a decrease in the biological diversity of microbiota affected by colitis. The full recovery was observed after 21 days of the application of the biological product. The product induced the structural changes of the microbiome damaged by DSS. Likewise, the number of the pathogenic intestinal microflora was decreased Representatives of SCFA producing bacteria increased concentrations of genus Lactobacillus