Cutaneous Toxicity of Gasoline as an Environmental Pollutant on Mice Skin: Histological and Ultrastrucural Studies

The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether gasoline with different octane number (90 and 80) exposure in healthy Swiss albino mice might affect the skin, in order to declare more recognition on the adverse changes that might occur as a result of exposure to this pollutant. Sixty Swiss albino mice were used and divided into 3 subgroups : control-subgroup, topically treated -subgroup with gasoline 90 and topically treated -subgroup with gasoline 80, both groups two and three treated with (0.5ml/kg B.W.) for 8 weeks.Determination of benzene concentration and some heavy metals in both types of gasoline (90 and 80), determination of some heavy metals bioaccumulation in skin after exposure to both types of gasoline (90 and 80),light and electron microscopical studies were performed.It was found that gasoline 80 contained more concentrations of benzene, lead , cadmium and nickel than gasoline 90. The accumulation of lead, cadmium and nickel in the skin have the following order lead > cadmium > nickel. The light microscopical examinations showed dermatitis such as epidermal hyperplasia, micro abscesses, hyperkeratosis and destruction of the dermis depending upon treatment duration from 4 to 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of topically treated mice with both gasoline type , the scanning electron microscope examination showed scales covering the mice skin and the transition electron microscope showed cytoplasmic vacuoles and mitochondrial degeneration in keratinocytes of all epidermal layers of the mice skin . Moreover, the spinosum keratinocytes of mice skin topically treated with gasoline 80 for 8 weeks had pyknotic nuclei,in addition to expansion of intercellular spaces in the stratum corneum

Cutaneous Toxicity of Gasoline as an Environmental Pollutant on Mice Skin: Histological and Ultrastrucural Studies

The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether gasoline with different octane number (90 and 80) exposure in healthy Swiss albino mice might affect the skin, in order to declare more recognition on the adverse changes that might occur as a result of exposure to this pollutant. Sixty Swiss albino mice were used and divided into 3 subgroups : control-subgroup, topically treated -subgroup with gasoline 90 and topically treated -subgroup with gasoline 80, both groups two and three treated with (0.5ml/kg B.W.) for 8 weeks.Determination of benzene concentration and some heavy metals in both types of gasoline (90 and 80), determination of some heavy metals bioaccumulation in skin after exposure to both types of gasoline (90 and 80),light and electron microscopical studies were performed.It was found that gasoline 80 contained more concentrations of benzene, lead , cadmium and nickel than gasoline 90. The accumulation of lead, cadmium and nickel in the skin have the following order lead > cadmium > nickel. The light microscopical examinations showed dermatitis such as epidermal hyperplasia, micro abscesses, hyperkeratosis and destruction of the dermis depending upon treatment duration from 4 to 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of topically treated mice with both gasoline type , the scanning electron microscope examination showed scales covering the mice skin and the transition electron microscope showed cytoplasmic vacuoles and mitochondrial degeneration in keratinocytes of all epidermal layers of the mice skin . Moreover, the spinosum keratinocytes of mice skin topically treated with gasoline 80 for 8 weeks had pyknotic nuclei,in addition to expansion of intercellular spaces in the stratum corneum

Rutin ameliorates carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatorenal toxicity and hypogonadism in male rats

Rutin, a food derived-polyphenolic bioflavonoid, has been acknowledged for several health benefits. This study aims to explore the ameliorative effects of rutin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) toxicity in male rats. Adult male rats were given either CCl4 (30% in olive oil, 3 ml/kg b.w. intraperitoneally) alone or in combination with rutin (70 mg/kg intragastrically) twice a week for 4 weeks. Our data showed that rutin mitigated CCl4 hepatorenal damage, as indicated by diagnostic markers (i.e., transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, urea, uric acid and creatinine), and histopathological findings. In addition, CCl4 induced profound elevation of free radical generation and oxidative stress, as evidenced by increasing lipid peroxidation and reducing catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in liver, kidney and testicular tissues; these effects were suppressed by coexposure with rutin. Moreover, the increase in the levels of serum triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol induced by CCl4 was effectively counteracted by rutin. The decrease in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the CCl4 group was also counteracted by rutin treatment. Interestingly, the decreased levels of hormonal mediators associated with sperm production, including serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, and the impaired sperm quality induced by CCl4 were reversed by rutin. Data from the current study clearly demonstrated that rutin supplementation could at least partly overcome CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and reproductive toxicity by antioxidant and antidyslipidemic effects

Acacetin Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of death across the world. Recent evidence suggests that STAT3 regulates proliferative, survival, metastasis, and angiogenesis genes in HCC. Novel agents that suppress STAT3 activation can be used to prevent or treat HCC. We used a functional proteomics tumor pathway technology platform and multiple HCC cell lines to investigate the effects of acacetin (ACN) on STAT3 activation, protein kinases, phosphatases, products of STAT3-regulated genes, and apoptosis. ACN was found to inhibit STAT3 activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner in HCC cells. Upstream kinases c-Src, Janus-activated kinase 1, and Janus-activated kinase 2 were also inhibited. The ACN inhibition of STAT3 was abolished by vanadate treatment, suggesting the involvement of tyrosine phosphatase activity. ACN was found to suppress the protein expression of genes involved in proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis via STAT3 inhibition. ACN appears to be a novel STAT3 inhibitor and may be a promising therapeutic compound for application in the treatment of HCC and other cancers

Lipoic acid abates testis lead accumulation, sperm-endocrine deficits, testicular oxidative inflammation and apoptosis and modulates gene expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in rats

The current study explored whether ALA could prevent testis Pb accumulation and Pb-induced oxidative testicular toxicity in rats. Adult male rats were randomly divided and administered ALA (25 mg/kg/day) and/or Pb (Pb acetate, 20 mg/kg/day) in Control group, ALA group, Pb group, and ALA + Pb group for 4 weeks consecutively. Pb exposure significantly increased Pb accumulation in the testes and blood of Pb-exposed rats compared to the control. Pb caused marked deficits in sperm count, motility along with elevated abnormal sperm cells, while serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutenizing hormone (LH) levels reduced prominently in comparison to the control. It remarkably depressed the testicular activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), whereas malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) increased significantly compared to the control. The levels of caspase-3, capsase-9, and the PCR gene expression of Bax and Bcl2 were adversely altered with alterations in testis histology. Interestingly, the co-treatment with ALA blocks Pb accumulation in the testis and blood. It inhibited the Pb-induced alterations in reproductive indices and reversed the oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory stress, apoptotic signaling and histopathological abrasions. The findings reveal that ALA could abrogate Pb-induced testicular toxicity through blocking testicular oxidative inflammation and apoptosis in rats

Brassinin Enhances Apoptosis in Hepatic Carcinoma by Inducing Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Suppressing the JAK2/STAT3 Pathway

Plants from the family Brassicaceae produce brassinin (BSN), which is an essential indole phytoalexin. BSN can kill certain types of cancer cells. Using hepatocarcinoma (HCC) cells, we examined the molecular mechanisms of BSN. We found that HCC cell growth was suppressed and apoptosis was induced by BSN via the downregulation of the JAK/STAT3 pathway. The cytoplasmic latent transcription factor STAT3, belonging to the STAT family, acted as both a signal transducer and an activator and was linked to tumor progression and decreased survival. BSN incubation caused HCC cells to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). By activating caspase-9/-3 and PARP cleavage, Bcl-2 was reduced, and apoptosis was increased. BSN inhibited constitutive STAT3, JAK2, and Src phosphorylation. The JAK/STAT signaling cascade was confirmed by siRNA silencing STAT3 in HCC cells. BSN also suppressed apoptosis by Z-Val-Ala-Asp-Fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK), an apoptotic inhibitor. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibited the production of ROS and diminished BSN-induced apoptosis. Our findings suggested that BSN has potential as a treatment for cancer

Brassinin Enhances Apoptosis in Hepatic Carcinoma by Inducing Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Suppressing the JAK2/STAT3 Pathway

Plants from the family Brassicaceae produce brassinin (BSN), which is an essential indole phytoalexin. BSN can kill certain types of cancer cells. Using hepatocarcinoma (HCC) cells, we examined the molecular mechanisms of BSN. We found that HCC cell growth was suppressed and apoptosis was induced by BSN via the downregulation of the JAK/STAT3 pathway. The cytoplasmic latent transcription factor STAT3, belonging to the STAT family, acted as both a signal transducer and an activator and was linked to tumor progression and decreased survival. BSN incubation caused HCC cells to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). By activating caspase-9/-3 and PARP cleavage, Bcl-2 was reduced, and apoptosis was increased. BSN inhibited constitutive STAT3, JAK2, and Src phosphorylation. The JAK/STAT signaling cascade was confirmed by siRNA silencing STAT3 in HCC cells. BSN also suppressed apoptosis by Z-Val-Ala-Asp-Fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK), an apoptotic inhibitor. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibited the production of ROS and diminished BSN-induced apoptosis. Our findings suggested that BSN has potential as a treatment for cancer

Geraniol prevents CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity via suppression of hepatic oxidative stress, pro-inflammation and apoptosis in rats

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a classic chemical hepatotoxicant that triggers liver damage through hepatic exacerbation of oxidative stress. Geraniol (GRL) is a natural bioactive acyclic monoterpene with several pharmacological effects. We thus explored whether GRL could prevent CCl4-triggered hepatic toxicity. Rats were divided and administered GRL (100 mg/kg) and/or CCl4 (1 ml/kg of 1:1 v/v CCl4: olive oil) in Control group, GRL group, CCl4 group, GRL + CCl4 groups 2 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks. CCl4 caused significantly (p < 0.05) elevated serum activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin (TB), whereas the albumin (ALB) and total protein (TP) levels were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced relative to the control group. The liver activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while malondialdehyde (MDA) level evidently elevated in comparison to the control group. The CCl4 exposure caused significant increases in proinflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), apoptotic caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels, whereas the anti-inflammatory interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were reduced in consistent with histopathological changes compared to the control. On the contrary, the GRL administration prevented the hepatic toxicity and lesions through restoration of liver status markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, MDA, cytokines and apoptosis in comparison to the CCl4 group. Altogether, the findings reveal that GRL could abrogate CCl4-provoked hepatic toxicity via inhibition of hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in rats

Antidiabetic Wound Dressing Materials Based on Cellulosic Fabrics Loaded with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Solid-State Method

The current study aims for the use of the solid-state technique as an efficient way for the preparation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) as an antimicrobial agent with high concentration using sodium alginate as stabilizing agent. ZnONPs were prepared with three different concentrations: ZnONPs-1, ZnONPs-2, and ZnONPs-3 (attributed to the utilized different concentrations of zinc acetate, 1.5, 3 and 4.5 g, respectively). The as-fabricated ZnONPs (ZnONPs-1, ZnONPs-2, and ZnONPs-3) were used for the treatment of cellulosic fabrics as dressing materials for the diabetic wounds. DLS findings illustrated that the as-prepared ZnONPs exhibited average particle size equal to 78, 117, and 144 nm, respectively. The data also showed that all the formulated ZnONPs were formed with good stability (above &minus;30 mv). The topographical images of cellulosic fabrics loaded with ZnONPs that were obtained by SEM confirmed the deposition of nanoparticles onto the surface of cellulosic fabrics with no noticeable agglomeration. The findings also outlined that the treated cellulosic fabrics dressings were proven to have enhanced bactericidal characteristics against the pathogenic microorganisms. The finding of wound contraction for the diabetic rats was measured after 21 days and reached 93.5% after treating the diabetic wound with cotton fabrics containing ZnONPs-2. Ultimately, the generated wound dressing (cellulosic fabrics loaded with ZnONPs) offers considerable promise for treating the wound infections and might be examined as a viable alternative to antibiotics and topical wound treatments

Properties of Nano-Amendments and Their Effect on Some Soil Properties and Root-Knot Nematode and Yield Attributes of Tomato Plant

The use of green nano-amendments is a promising approach for improving soil health and providing sustainable options to reduce root-knot nematodes (RKN) and thus increase yields. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to identify the characteristics of nano-amendments such as nanobiochar (nB), green nanobiochar (GnB), and magnetic nanobiochar (MnB) and their effect on the root-knot nematodes and tomato yield at levels of 3 and 6 mg kg&minus;1 in sandy loam soil. The results showed that the GnB and MnB contain many functional groups (such as O-H, C=C, S-H, H-C=O, C-O, and H&ndash;O&ndash;H) and minerals (such as magnetite, ferrous sulfate monohydrate, and quartz), and they also had an elevated specific surface area. The application of the investigated soil nano-amendments significantly increased soil organic matter (OM) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and decreased the root-knot nematodes, playing a major role in increasing tomato growth. The highest significant values of OM and MBC were found in the soil amended by GnB at 6 mg kg&minus;1, with increases of 84.7% and 71.5% as compared to the control, respectively. GnB6 significantly decreased the number of root galls, the egg mass, and number of nematodes per 250 cm3 soil by 77.67, 88.65, and 74.46%, respectively, compared to the control. Green nanobiochar was more efficient in accelerating the growth and yield components of the tomato plant. The addition of GnB is an effective strategy and an environmentally friendly technology to control plant parasitic nematodes and increase tomato yield. Therefore, the results recommend adding GnB at a rate of 6 mg kg&minus;1 in sandy loam soil