Protective activities of ellagic acid and urolithins against kidney toxicity of environmental pollutants: A review

Oxidative stress and inflammation are two possible mechanisms related to nephrotoxicity caused by environmental pollutants. Ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant phytochemical, may have great relevance in mitigating pollutant-induced nephrotoxicity and preventing the progression of kidney disease. This review discusses the latest findings on the protective effects of ellagic acid, its metabolic derivatives, the urolithins, against kidney toxicity caused by heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, and organic air pollutants. We describe the chelating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antiautophagic, and antiapoptotic properties of ellagic acid to attenuate nephrotoxicity. Furthermore, we present the molecular targets and signaling pathways that are regulated by these antioxidants, and suggest some others that should be explored. Nevertheless, the number of reports is still limited to establish the efficacy of ellagic acid against kidney damage induced by environmental pollutants. Therefore, additional preclinical studies on this topic are required, as well as the development of well-designed clinical trials.     

Microspheres of essential oil in polylactic acid and poly(methyl methacrylate) matrices and their blends

This study is focussed on micro-encapsulation of essential oils in polylactic acid (PLA) and a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix as well as blends of the same. Microspheres were prepared by the solvent evaporation technique and characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). The encapsulation efficiencies and release profiles of the essential oils were studied by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and head-space solid-phase microextraction GC-MS, respectively. Furthermore, the microspheres were tested for antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains.

The results showed that the microspheres compositions (PLA/PMMA ratio) have significant effect on their characteristics. The process adopted for preparing the microspheres promoted formation of spherical particles at the sizes of 1.5–9.5?µm. The highest encapsulation efficiency of the prepared microspheres was observed in systems consisting of linalool (81.10?±?10.0?wt. % for PLA system and 76.0?±?3.3?wt. % for PMMA system). Confirmation was also made that the release rate of the microspheres was affected by the size of the same.     

辛味中药在治疗消渴证中的应用价值及中药五味理论现代研究的思考

辛味是中药五味学说中的重要性味之一,通常具有“发散”“行气”和“行血”的作用,且辛味中药在传统医学临床应用中占有较大比例。结合中药辛味的功效内涵及传统中医理论对消渴证的认识,阐述辛味中药与消渴证治疗之间的内在联系,总结辛味中药对“消渴三消”的治疗意义与价值。并在此基础上,对中药五味理论的现代研究趋势和发展方向进行思考,为同行研究提供参考。     

Cardioprotective effects of sinomenine in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model

BackgroundIschemia reperfusion (I/R) play an imperative role in the expansion of cardiovascular disease. Sinomenine (SM) has been exhibited to possess antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticarcinogenic properties. The aim of the study was scrutinized the cardioprotective effect of SM against I/R injury in rat.MethodsRat were randomly divided into normal control (NC), I/R control and I/R + SM (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg), respectively. Ventricular arrhythmias, body weight and heart weight were estimated. Antioxidant, inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory mediators and plasmin system indicator were accessed.ResultsPre-treated SM group rats exhibited the reduction in the duration and incidence of ventricular fibrillation, ventricular ectopic beat (VEB) and ventricular tachycardia along with suppression of arrhythmia score during the ischemia (30 and 120 min). SM treated rats significantly (P < 0.001) altered the level of antioxidant parameters. SM treatment significantly (P < 0.001) repressed the level of creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), creatine kinase (CK) and troponin I (Tnl). SM treated rats significantly (P < 0.001) repressed the tissue factor (TF), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and plasma fibrinogen (Fbg) and inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators.ConclusionOur result clearly indicated that SM plays anti-arrhythmia effect in I/R injury in the rats via alteration of oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction.     

Curcumin attenuates spatial memory impairment by anti-oxidative,anti-apoptosis,and anti-inflammatory mechanism against methamphetamine neurotoxicity in male Wistar rats: Histological and biochemical changes

ObjectiveMethamphetamine is used extensively around the world as a psychostimulant. The complications related to methamphetamine include methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity, mainly involving intraneuronal processes, such as oxidative stress and excitotoxicity. Curcumin is effective against neuronal injury due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we examined the protective effects of curcumin against methamphetamine neurotoxicity.MethodsSixty male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: control (n = 12), DMSO (n = 12), methamphetamine (n = 12), and methamphetamine + curcumin (100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, intraperitoneal [IP]; n = 12). Neurotoxicity was induced by 40 mg/kg of methamphetamine administrated through 4 injections (4 × 10 mg/kg, q2h, IP). Curcumin (100 and 200 mg/kg) was administered at 7 days after the last methamphetamine injection. By using a Morris water maze task, the hippocampus-dependent memory and spatial learning were evaluated 1 day after the last curcumin injection. Then, the animal brains were isolated for biochemical measurements, as well as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionized calcium-binding adaptor protein-1(Iba-1) and caspase-3 immunohistochemical staining.ResultsThe current study demonstrated that administration of curcumin significantly attenuates spatial memory impairment (P < 0.01) following methamphetamine neurotoxicity. Curcumin caused a significant increase in the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05). However, it decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (P < 0.01) levels as compared to the methamphetamine group. Also, curcumin significantly reduced Iba-1 (P < 0. 01), GFAP and caspase-3 positive cells in the hippocampus (P < 0.001).ConclusionCurcumin exerted neuroprotective effects on methamphetamine neurotoxicity because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.     

Exploration of D022-Type Al3TM(TM = Sc,Ti, V,Zr, Nb,Hf, Ta): Elastic Anisotropy,Electronic Structures,Work Function and Experimental Design

The structural properties, elastic anisotropy, electronic structures and work function of D0₂₂-type Al₃TM (TM = Sc, Ti, V, Y, Zr, Nb, La, Hf, Ta) are studied using the first-principles calculations. The results indicate that the obtained formation enthalpy and cohesive energy of these compounds are in accordance with the other calculated values. It is found that the Al₃Zr is the most thermodynamic stable compound. The mechanical property indexes, such as elastic constants, bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and Vickers hardness are systematically explored. Moreover, the calculated universal anisotropic index, percent anisotropy and shear anisotropic factors of D0₂₂-type Al₃TM are analyzed carefully. It demonstrates that the shear modulus anisotropy of Al₃La is the strongest, while that of Al₃Ta is the weakest. In particular, the density of states at Fermi level is not zero, suggesting that these phases have metal properties and electrical conductivity. More importantly, the mechanisms of correlation between hardness and Young’s modulus are further explained by the work function. Finally, the experimental design proves that D0₂₂-Al₃Ta has an excellent strengthening effect.     

Assessment of Serum CoQ10 Levels and other Antioxidant Markers in Breast Cancer

Background: The balance of the oxidative state in the body is fundamental for the maintenance of homeostasis. It has been implicated in the onset and progression of several diseases including breast cancer. The way in which the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) / antioxidants balance leads to or responds to disease is still controversial. In this study, TAC is used as a reference for the total antioxidant power of the body and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for its vital importance in cellular antioxidant action and being the only lipid soluble antioxidant synthesized endogenously. Copper and zinc were measured as trace elements reflecting the antioxidant micronutrient profile of the body. Methods: After approval of the ethical committee, 60 recently diagnosed non-intervened breast cancer patients were recruited from the Medical Research Institute hospital, Alexandria University along with 20 apparently healthy volunteers as control group. Full patient history was taken including breastfeeding history, parity, hormone replacement therapy use, body mass index, pathological examination, metastatic work up results, past medical history and drug use. CA 15-3 and laboratory investigations evaluating blood glucose, kidney and liver functions were performed. Q10 levels were measured by HPLC using a kit from Recipe®. TAC was assayed spectrophotometrically (Biodiagnostics®). Copper and Zinc levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the CoQ10, TAC and copper levels in the breast cancer group when compared to the control group. Zinc showed no statistically significant difference between the studied groups. Conclusion: Inspite of the fact that a high antioxidant level is usually considered as a favourable state, TAC, CoQ10 and copper levels showed significantly higher levels in the breast cancer group when compared to the control group. It is worth mentioning that the cancer group were all recently diagnosed, non-intervened and showed no signs of metastasis. It is still unclear whether the increased antioxidant levels offer a selective growth advantage to tumor cells over their surrounding normal cells or serve as a protective measure by the body in an attempt to correct the assault triggered by the ROS.     

Sensitive skin: correlation with skin surface microrelief appearance

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Sensitive skin is a condition associated with reduced tolerance to environmental factors and/or the application of topical products, such as cosmetics. Its pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated and few data are available on its prevalence. The aim of this study was to investigate possible correlation between objective sensitivity and skin surface microrelief. METHODS: During an epidemiological survey conducted for a campaign promoted by International Society of Plastic Dermatology in Italy, 243 adult healthy subjects of both sexes with no evident dermatological disorder but positive to the lactic acid stinging test, were submitted to cyanoacrylate stratum corneum stripping from the volar forearm for the determination of the irregularity of the skin surface microrelief (irregularity skin index (ISI)). RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between intensity of symptoms in stingers and ISI (r(s)=-0.47; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Sensitive skin is common in the healthy population. ISI can contribute towards the identification of subjects with sensitive skin and the development of more specific skin treatments for this prevalent condition.