-
The Journal of International Medical... Aug 2020Cisplatin (CDDP) toxicity is a dose-limiting clinical problem in clinical practice, mainly because of nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity. However, the mechanism of...
OBJECTIVE
Cisplatin (CDDP) toxicity is a dose-limiting clinical problem in clinical practice, mainly because of nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity. However, the mechanism of CDDP-induced cardiotoxicity is poorly understood. Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR) is an antioxidant agent with protective effects against the side effects of various chemotherapeutics. CDDP-induced cardiotoxicity and the protective role of ALCAR were evaluated in this study.
METHODS
Morphological changes were evaluated in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3, superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2), inducible nitrite oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2, and Bcl-2 was performed using the hearts of athymic nude mice carrying xenograft neuroblastoma tumors. Mice were randomized (six/group) to the control, CDDP (16 mg/kg), and ALCAR (200 mg/kg)+CDDP (16 mg/kg) groups. Results were analyzed using nonparametric tests.
RESULTS
No difference was observed in the rates of cardiac necrosis, dilated/congested blood vessels, hemorrhage, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, edema, and pyknotic nuclei among the groups. SOD-2 expression was increased in the CDDP group but not in the ALCAR+CDDP group. iNOS, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 levels were not significantly different among the groups.
CONCLUSIONS
ALCAR might be a candidate protective agent for CDDP-induced cardiotoxicity. SOD-2, as a member of the oxidant system, should be evaluated in further studies as a biomarker of cardiotoxicity.
Topics: Acetylcarnitine; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Cardiotoxicity; Cisplatin; Mice; Mice, Nude
PubMed: 32865065
DOI: 10.1177/0300060520951393 -
Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) Mar 2022Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is a more severe form of ALI, are life-threatening clinical syndromes observed in critically ill... (Review)
Review
Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is a more severe form of ALI, are life-threatening clinical syndromes observed in critically ill patients. Treatment methods to alleviate the pathogenesis of ALI have improved to a great extent at present. Although the efficacy of these therapies is limited, their relevance has increased remarkably with the ongoing pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which causes severe respiratory distress syndrome. Several studies have demonstrated the preventive and therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen in the various diseases. The biological effects of molecular hydrogen mainly involve anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and autophagy and cell death modulation. This review focuses on the potential therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen on ALI and its underlying mechanisms and aims to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of ALI and COVID-19.
Topics: Acute Lung Injury; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Humans; Hydrogen; Protective Agents; Sepsis; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 35240982
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00455-y -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Mar 2020Osteoporosis is a progressive and chronic bone disorder characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of skeletal tissues. Osteoporosis leads to... (Review)
Review
Osteoporosis is a progressive and chronic bone disorder characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of skeletal tissues. Osteoporosis leads to alteration in bone mineral content resulting in decreased bone strength with elevated fracture risks frequently associated with greater morbidity. The latest research in the area of photomedicine had sparked interest in harnessing the active components from plants in both disease control and management across the globe. We in the present review have taken a comprehensive approach to identify forty known plants and their phytoconstituents, which encompasses (i) the genetic diversity of various plants, (ii) their active components and (iii) their osteoprotective role in osteoporosis. Thus, the present review is an attempt for the first time to collectively document the therapeutic properties of valuable medicinal plants in preventing and treating bone loss in osteoporosis.
Topics: Animals; Bone Density; Bone and Bones; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Osteoporosis; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal; Protective Agents
PubMed: 32114432
DOI: 10.2741/4855 -
Fitoterapia Sep 2014Silymarin, a standardised extract of Silybum marianum (milk thistle), comprises mainly of silybin, with dehydrosilybin (DHSB), quercetin, taxifolin, silychristin and a... (Review)
Review
Silymarin, a standardised extract of Silybum marianum (milk thistle), comprises mainly of silybin, with dehydrosilybin (DHSB), quercetin, taxifolin, silychristin and a number of other compounds which are known to possess a range of salutary effects. Indeed, there is evidence for their role in reducing tumour growth, preventing liver toxicity, and protecting a number of organs against ischemic damage. The hepatoprotective effects of silymarin, especially in preventing Amanita and alcohol intoxication induced damage to the liver, are a well established fact. Likewise, there is weighty evidence that silymarin possesses antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Additionally, it has emerged that in animal models, silymarin can protect the heart, brain, liver and kidneys against ischemia reperfusion injury, probably by preconditioning. The mechanisms of preconditioning are, in general, well studied, especially in the heart. On the other hand, the mechanism by which silymarin protects the heart from ischemia remains largely unexplored. This review, therefore, focuses on evaluating existing studies on silymarin induced cardioprotection in the context of the established mechanisms of preconditioning.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial; Protective Agents; Silymarin
PubMed: 24879900
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2014.05.016 -
Biomolecules Dec 2019Biotic stress causes immense damage to agricultural products worldwide and raises the risk of hunger in many areas. Plants themselves tolerate biotic stresses via... (Review)
Review
Biotic stress causes immense damage to agricultural products worldwide and raises the risk of hunger in many areas. Plants themselves tolerate biotic stresses via several pathways, including pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which trigger immunity and plant resistance (R) proteins. On the other hand, humans use several non-ecofriendly methods to control biotic stresses, such as chemical applications. Compared with chemical control, melatonin is an ecofriendly compound that is an economical alternative strategy which can be used to protect animals and plants from attacks via pathogens. In plants, the bactericidal capacity of melatonin was verified against , as well as multidrug-resistant Gram-negative and -positive bacteria under in vitro conditions. Regarding plant-bacteria interaction, melatonin has presented effective antibacterial activities against phytobacterial pathogens. In plant-fungi interaction models, melatonin was found to play a key role in plant resistance to , to increase fungicide susceptibility, and to reduce the stress tolerance of . In plant-virus interaction models, melatonin not only efficiently eradicated apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) from apple shoots in vitro (making it useful for the production of virus-free plants) but also reduced tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) viral RNA and virus concentration in infected and seedlings. Indeed, melatonin has unique advantages in plant growth regulation and increasing plant resistance effectiveness against different forms of biotic and abiotic stress. Although considerable work has been done regarding the role of melatonin in plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, its role in biotic stress remains unclear and requires clarification. In our review, we summarize the work that has been accomplished so far; highlight melatonin's function in plant tolerance to pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi; and determine the direction required for future studies on this topic.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Flexiviridae; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Melatonin; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phytophthora infestans; Protective Agents; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 31905696
DOI: 10.3390/biom10010054 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2019
Topics: Aging; Animals; Antioxidants; Disease; Humans; Nerve Degeneration; Protective Agents
PubMed: 30728890
DOI: 10.1155/2019/7450693 -
European Review For Medical and... Dec 2021Quercetin (Qct) is a flavonoid that belongs to the group of the most bioactive polyphenolic compounds. It is abundantly found in our diet, and it has many beneficial... (Review)
Review
Quercetin (Qct) is a flavonoid that belongs to the group of the most bioactive polyphenolic compounds. It is abundantly found in our diet, and it has many beneficial effects on human health because of its potent antioxidant properties. Qct has shown cardioprotective effects against doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, and lindane and nephroprotective effects against methotrexate, doxorubicin, gentamicin, valproic acid, cadmium, potassium dichromate, fluoride, mercury chloride, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and gold nanoparticles. In the current review, we discussed the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the cardio- and nephroprotective effects of Qct. The main purpose of this review was to identify the cardio- and the nephroprotective mechanisms of Qct against several drugs and chemicals to encourage further studies to investigate the potential protective effect of Qct.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Cardiotonic Agents; Cardiotoxicity; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Metal Nanoparticles; Protective Agents; Quercetin
PubMed: 34919245
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202112_27440 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2021Although ionizing radiation (radiation) is commonly used for medical diagnosis and cancer treatment, radiation-induced damages cannot be avoided. Such damages can be... (Review)
Review
Although ionizing radiation (radiation) is commonly used for medical diagnosis and cancer treatment, radiation-induced damages cannot be avoided. Such damages can be classified into direct and indirect damages, caused by the direct absorption of radiation energy into DNA and by free radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH), generated in the process of water radiolysis. More specifically, radiation damage concerns not only direct damages to DNA, but also secondary damages to non-DNA targets, because low-dose radiation damage is mainly caused by these indirect effects. Molecular hydrogen (H) has the potential to be a radioprotective agent because it can selectively scavenge •OH, a reactive oxygen species with strong oxidizing power. Animal experiments and clinical trials have reported that H exhibits a highly safe radioprotective effect. This paper reviews previously reported radioprotective effects of H and discusses the mechanisms of H, not only as an antioxidant, but also in intracellular responses including anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and the regulation of gene expression. In doing so, we demonstrate the prospects of H as a novel and clinically applicable radioprotective agent.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Cognitive Dysfunction; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Hydrogen; Immune System; Male; Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Radiation Injuries; Radiation-Protective Agents; Skin; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 33925430
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094566 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2020The inflammatory mediator and oxidant agent storm caused by the SARS-CoV-2 infection has been strongly associated with the failure of vital organs observed in critically... (Review)
Review
The inflammatory mediator and oxidant agent storm caused by the SARS-CoV-2 infection has been strongly associated with the failure of vital organs observed in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the death of thousands of infected people around the world. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common renal disorder characterized by a sudden and sustained decrease in renal function with a critical influence on poor prognosis and lethal clinical outcomes of various etiologies, including some viral infection diseases. It is known that oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in the pathogenesis and development of AKI. Quercetin is a natural substance that has multiple pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory action, and is used as a dietary supplement. There is evidence of the anti-coronavirus activities of this compound, including against the target SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. The ability to inhibit coronavirus and its inflammatory processes is strongly desired in a new drug for the treatment of COVID-19. Therefore, in this review, the dual effect of quercetin is discussed from a mechanistic perspective in relation to AKI kidney injury and its nephroprotective potential to SARS-CoV-2 patients.
Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Animals; COVID-19; Humans; Morbidity; Protective Agents; Quercetin; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 33297540
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235772 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2020Taro corms contain valuable bioactive molecules effective against cancer and cancer-related risk factors, such as carcinogens and biological agents, several... (Review)
Review
Taro corms contain valuable bioactive molecules effective against cancer and cancer-related risk factors, such as carcinogens and biological agents, several pathophysiological conditions, including oxidative stress and inflammation, while controlling metabolic dysfunctions and boosting the immunological response. Such broad effects are achieved by the taro health-influencing compounds displaying antitumoral, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. Taro bioactivities are attributed to the combination of tarin, taro-4-I polysaccharide, taro polysaccharides 1 and 2 (TPS-1 and TPS-2), A-1/B-2 α-amylase inhibitors, monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDGs), digalactosyldiacylglycerols (DGDGs), polyphenols, and nonphenolic antioxidants. Most of these compounds have been purified and successfully challenged in vitro and in vivo, proving their involvement in the aforementioned activities. Although these health-promoting effects have been recognized since ancient times, as well as other valuable features of taro for food profit, such as hypo-allergenicity, gluten-free, and carbohydrates with medium-glycemic index, taro crop remains underexploited. The popularization of taro intake should be considered a dietary intervention strategy to be applied to improve the overall health status of the organism and as supportive therapy to manage tumorigenesis.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Colocasia; Feeding Behavior; Health Impact Assessment; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Nutrients; Plant Extracts; Plant Tubers; Protective Agents
PubMed: 33383887
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010265