Ameliorative effects of pycnogenol on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic oxidative damage in rats

This study evaluated the putative antioxidant activity of Pycnogenol (PYC) against CCl4-induced hepatic oxidative damage in Sprague-Dawley rats. A single oral dose of CCl4 (1.25 mL/kg) produced significantly increased levels of serum aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. In addition, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and decreased catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were observed in the hepatic tissues. However, concomitant administration with PYC (10 or 20 mg/kg) significantly improved CCl4-induced hepatic injury, as evidenced by the decline of serum AST and ALT activities in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, PYC reduced MDA concentration and increased GSH levels and catalase, SOD and GST activities in hepatic tissues, indicating that concomitant administration with PYC efficiently prevent the CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats. The free radical scavenging assay showed that PYC has a dose-dependent scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. These results indicate that PYC has an antioxidant effect against CCl4-induced hepatic oxidative damage and is useful as a hepatoprotective agent against various liver diseases induced by oxidative stress.     

Modulatory influence of Andrographis paniculata on mouse hepatic and extrahepatic carcinogen metabolizing enzymes and antioxidant status

The effects of two doses (50 and 100 mg/kg body wt/day for 14 days) of an 80% hydroalcohol extract of Andrographis paniculata and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) were examined on drug metabolizing enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and lipid peroxidation in the liver of Swiss albino mice (6-8 weeks old). The effect of the extract and BHA were also examined on lung, kidney and forestomach for the activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), DT-diaphorase (DTD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. A significant increase in the levels of acid soluble sulphydryl (-SH) content, cytochrome P450, cytochrome P450 reductase, cytochrome b5 reductase, GST, DTD and SOD were observed at both dose levels of extract treatment while catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase (GR) showed significant increases only at the higher dose in the liver. Both Andrographis treated groups showed a significant decrease in activity of LDH and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. BHA treated mice showed a significant increase in the levels of cytochrome b(5), GST, DTD, -SH content, GR and catalase in liver; while LDH and MDA levels were reduced significantly compared with their control values. In the lung, SOD, catalase and DTD, in the kidney catalase, DTD and GST, and in the forestomach SOD and DTD showed a significant increase at both dose levels of treatment. In BHA treated mice GST, DTD and catalase were significantly induced in the lung and along with these enzymes SOD was also induced in the kidney. In the case of the forestomach of BHA treated mice GST, DTD and SOD were enhanced significantly. These findings indicate the chemopreventive potential of Andrographis paniculata against chemotoxicity including carcinogenicity.     

Ameliorative Effects of Pine Bark Extract on Spermatotoxicity by α‐Chlorohydrin in Rats

We investigated the protective effects of pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®, PYC, Horphag Research Ltd., Route de Belis, France) against α‐chlorohydrin (ACH)‐induced spermatotoxicity in rats. Rats were orally administered ACH (30 mg/kg/day) with or without PYC (20 mg/kg/day) for 7 days. Administration of ACH significantly decreased sperm motility. α‐Chlorohydrin also caused histopathological alterations and apoptotic changes in caput epididymides. An increased malondialdehyde concentration and decreased glutathione content, as well as catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were also found. In contrast, PYC treatment significantly prevented ACH‐induced spermatotoxicity, including decreased sperm motility, histopathological lesions, and apoptotic changes in the caput epididymis. Pycnogenol® also had an antioxidant benefit by decreasing malondialdehyde and increasing levels of the antioxidant glutathione and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and peroxidase in epididymal tissues. These results indicate that PYC treatment attenuated ACH‐induced spermatotoxicity through antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Elevation protective role of Camellia sinensis and Urtica dioica infusion against trichloroacetic acid-exposed in rats

This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of two traditionally used Turkish medicinal plants, Camellia sinensis (CS) and Urtica dioica L. (UD), beverages used against chemical carcinogen trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-exposure in rats. The preventive potential of the plant infusions was evaluated by measuring the level of serum marker enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); antioxidant defense systems, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT); and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) content in various organs of rats. Twenty four healthy rats were randomly allotted into four experimental groups: A (untreated control), B (only TCA-treated), C (TCA+CS treated) and D (TCA+UD treated). At the end of the 50 days, the plant infusions possessed chemoprotective effects, deduced by the remaining TCA-induced increased serum damage marker enzyme, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative system in rats compared with those of the control and TCA-exposed rats. According to the results, while the levels of AST, ALT and CPK increased in group B, no significant changes were observed in groups C and D. The MDA content slightly increased in tissues of all groups, being higher in group B. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD and CAT increased significantly in the brain, liver and kidney of group B while they did not change significantly except for in the kidney in groups C and D. The GSH level and the ancillary enzyme GR activity did not change significantly in organs of all groups. On the other hand, the drug metabolizing enzyme, GST, activity decreased significantly in the brain, liver and kidney of group D while slight changes were observed for the other groups. The results revealed that TCA exposure induced oxidative stress in rat tissues, however, in plant beverage supplemented groups, a significant protective effect of CS and UD against TCA-induced oxidative injury was recorded. Hence, the study revealed that the constituents present in CS and UD impart protection against carcinogenic chemical induced oxidative injury that may result in the development of cancer. Also the observations, along with changes, suggest that both CS and UD may possess preventive potential during a 50-day protective exposure.     

The protective effect of Zizyphus jujube fruit on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in mice by anti-oxidative activities

Aim of the study

The study was aimed to investigate the protective effect against hepatic injury induced by CCl₄ for the ethanolic extract of FZJ.

Materials and methods

The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected as biomarker in blood of hepatic injury. Product of lipid peroxidation (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were evaluated for oxidative stress in hepatic injury. Moreover, histopathological observation was assayed at the degree of hepatic injury.

Results

After administrated the FZJ, the dose of 200 mg/kg significantly decreased ALT and AST, and attenuated histopathology of hepatic injury, and ameliorated the oxidative stress in hepatic tissue. Partly assayed indexes were ameliorated after administrated FZJ at the dose of 100 mg/kg.

Conclusion

These results indicated that hepatic protective effects of FZJ were very relevant to modulate the oxidative stress in hepatic injury.     

Protection of human HepG2 cells against oxidative stress by the flavonoid epicatechin

Flavanols, such as epicatechin (EC), constitute an important part of the human diet; they can be found in green tea, grapes and cocoa and possess different biological activities such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anticarcinogenic. This study investigated the potential chemo‐protective effect of EC against oxidative stress induced by tert‐butylhydroperoxide (t‐BOOH) on human HepG2 cells. Cell viability by lactate dehydrogenase assay and markers of oxidative status: reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were evaluated. Pretreatment of cells with EC for 20 h prevented the enhanced cell damage and GPx and GR activities as well as the decrease in GSH induced by t‐BOOH. The increased ROS generation induced by t‐BOOH was also partly prevented by a pretreatment for 20 h with EC. In addition, pretreatment of cells with EC for 20 h recovered the t‐BOOH‐induced MDA concentration to control values. A pretreatment for 2 h with EC did not reduce cell damage but partly recovered GSH, reduced ROS levels and muffled the increase of GPx and GR after exposure to t‐BOOH. Treatment of HepG2 cells with concentrations of EC in the micromolar range confers a significant protection against oxidative stress. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Protective effects of dietary ginger (Zingiber officinales Rosc.) on lindane-induced oxidative stress in rats

The protective effect of dietary feeding of Zingiber officinales Rosc. (ginger) against lindane-induced oxidative stress was investigated in male albino rats. Oxidative stress was monitored by estimating the extent of lipid peroxidation, activities of the oxygen free radical (OFR) scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and the status of the glutathione redox cycle antioxidants. Lindane administration (30 mg/kg bw orally for 4 weeks) was associated with enhanced lipid peroxidation and compromised antioxidant defenses in rats fed a normal diet. Concomitant dietary feeding of ginger (1%w/w) significantly attenuated lindane-induced lipid peroxidation, accompanied by modulation of OFR scavenging enzymes as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) and the GSH dependent enzymes glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in these rats. These findings suggest that a diet containing naturally occurring compounds is effective in exerting protective effects by modulating oxidative stress.     

Hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Flemingia macrophylla on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats through anti-oxidative activities

This study investigated the protective effect of the aqueous extract of Flemingia macrophylla (AFM) against hepatic injury induced by CCl(4). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected as biomarkers in the blood to indicate hepatic injury. Product of lipid peroxidation (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were evaluated for oxidative stress in hepatic injury. Moreover, histopathological observation was assayed for the degree of hepatic injury. After oral administration of AFM, 0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg doses significantly decreased ALT and AST, attenuated the histopathology of hepatic injury, ameliorated oxidative stress in hepatic tissue, and increased the activities of CAT, SOD and GSH-Px. The hepatoprotective effect of daidzein and genistein were consistent to that of AFM. This study demonstrated for the first time that AFM has hepatoprotective effect on acute liver injuries induced by CCl(4), and the results suggested that the effect of AFM against CCl(4)-induced liver damage was related to antioxidant properties.     

Protective effect of Hemidesmus indicus L. R. Br. against bromobenzene-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in rat kidney

Hemidesmus indicus (HI) is used in ancient Indian traditional herbal medicine to treat hepatic and renal disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of HI aqueous extract against bromobenzene induced mitochondrial dysfunction in rat kidneys. Rats were administered bromobenzene with or without prior administration of HI or vitamin E. At the end of the experiment animals were sacrificed and kidneys were obtained to study mitochondrial function, oxidative stress parameters and histopathology. Administration of bromobenzene caused significant changes like: decrease in the mitochondrial respiration and P/O ratios, increase in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, and decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) in mitochondria with significant histopathological changes in the kidney. Prior administration of HI extract showed a significant protection against bromobenzene induced changes in the kidney and this effect is attributed to the antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential of the HI. The protection was much better with HI compared to vitamin E.     

Antioxidant effect of Cytisus scoparius against carbon tetrachloride treated liver injury in rats

The study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of Cytisus scoparius L. (Family: Leguminosae) on CCl(4) (carbon tetrachloride) treated oxidative stress in Wistar albino rats. CCl(4) injection induced oxidative stress by a significant rise in serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminases (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminases (SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) along with reduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GRD). Pretreatment of rats with different doses of plant extract (250 and 500mg/kg) significantly lowered SGOT, SGPT, LDH and TBARS levels against CCl(4) treated rats. GSH and hepatic enzymes like SOD, CAT, GPx, GRD, and GST were significantly increased by treatment with the plant extract, against CCl(4) treated rats. The activity of extract at the dose of 500mg/kg was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (25mg/kg). Based on these results, it was observed that Cytisus scoparius extract protects liver from oxidative stress induced by CCl(4) in rats and thus helps in evaluation of the traditional claim on this plant.     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of Pycnogenol® in acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Pycnogenol® (PYC) has already being used as a food supplement and herbal medicine due to its potent antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to examine the protective effect of PYC on acetaminophen‐induced acute liver injury in rats. The effect of PYC on acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats was examined by determining biochemical parameters, in vitro antioxidant activity, histological assessment, and oxidative status in liver homogenates. The best antioxidant properties were demonstrated in methanolic extracts. Seven‐day pretreatment with PYC suppressed elevation of CYP2E1 protein expression induced by administration of toxic dose of acetaminophen. PYC at 50 mg/kg showed the ability to significantly decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) level compared with the group received acetaminophen. Xanthine oxidase (XOD) enzyme activity was significantly elevated in acetaminophen‐treated group compared with control, whereas concomitant administration of PYC in a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly reduced activity of this enzyme. Significant decrease of glutathione (GSH) hepatic content in acetaminophen‐intoxicated rats compared with the control rats was improved by concomitant administration of PYC at 50 mg/kg. Protective effect of PYC on acetaminophen‐induced acute liver injury in rats has showed the best in vitro antioxidant potential expressed in methanolic extract and consequent histological assessment and oxidative status in liver homogenates.     

Protective effect of Bojungikki-tang, a traditional herbal formula, against alcohol-induced gastric injury in rats

Ethnopharmacological evidence

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal injury. Bojungikki-tang (Hochuekkito in Japanese, Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang in Chinese) is a traditional herbal formula used in Korea, Japan, and China to treat allergic diseases and gastrointestinal disorders. However, the mechanism responsible for its actions has not been investigated experimentally.

Aim of the study

The aims of this study were to investigate whether Bojungikki-tang water extract (BJITE) has protective effects against ethanol-induced acute gastric injury in rats and to perform an acute toxicity study to evaluate its safety.

Materials and methods

In this rat model, gastric mucosal injury was imposed by oral administration of 5 mL/kg body weight of absolute ethanol. BJITE at one of two doses (200 or 400 mg/kg body weight) was administered by gavage 2 h before ethanol administration. Gastric tissues were collected and analyzed to assess the gastric injury index, and content or activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).

Results

Acute administration of ethanol significantly increased the gastric injury index concomitantly with an increase in MDA and GSH content, and a decrease in the activities of catalase, GST, GR, GPx, and SOD. Pretreatment with 200 or 400 mg/kg BJITE attenuated ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury; this was accompanied by an increase in the content or activity of PGE₂, catalase, GSH, GST, GR, GPx, and SOD, and a decrease in MDA content. In the acute toxicity study, no adverse effects of BJITE were observed at doses up to 2000 mg/kg body weight.

Conclusion

These results indicate that BJITE can partly protect the gastric mucosa from ethanol-induced acute gastric injury and suggest that these protective effects might be induced by increasing the antioxidant status. We suggest that BJITE can be developed as an effective drug for the treatment of acute gastric injury.     

雷公藤配伍金钱草对荷瘤状态下的相杀减毒机制研究

目的在荷瘤病理状态下观测雷公藤配伍金钱草的相杀减毒机制。方法通过对S180荷瘤小鼠血清肾功能指标以及肾组织氧化应激和炎症相关指标的比较分析,探讨雷公藤配伍金钱草的相杀减毒作用及其机制。结果雷公藤给药后诱导了S180荷瘤小鼠的血清肌酐(Cr)、尿素氮(BUN)、肾丙二醛(MDA)的水平均显著升高,以各配比(4/1~1/4)配伍金钱草给药后,均显著逆转了以上3个指标的异常(P<0.01);进一步机制分析显示,雷公藤诱导了荷瘤小鼠肾谷胱甘肽(GSH)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、白介素(IL)-10的水平的显著降低(P<0.01)以及肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α水平的显著升高(P<0.01),而以各配比与金钱草配伍给药后,均显著逆转了以上7个指标的异常(P<0.01)。结论配伍金钱草对雷公藤所致的荷瘤小鼠的肾损伤具有减毒作用,其机制可能涉及增强荷瘤状态下肾的抗氧化防御并抑制炎症反应。     

葡萄籽原花青素对原代培养海马细胞氧化应激的影响

目的:研究葡萄籽原花青素(GSP)对过氧化氢(H2O2)诱导大鼠原代培养海马细胞氧化应激损伤的影响。方法:采用原代培养的方法,建立H2O2致海马细胞氧化损伤模型,观察细胞形态学变化;MTT法测定细胞活力;化学比色法测定细胞内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性,以及活性氧(ROS)、丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果:1 mmol/L的H2O2诱导海马细胞24 h,细胞活力下降(均P<0.01),细胞内ROS和MDA含量增加,SOD、CAT及GSH-Px活性下降。而GSP可明显减少细胞损伤,使细胞内SOD、CAT及GSH-Px活性增加,并减少细胞内ROS和MDA含量。结论:GSP对H2O2诱导的海马神经细胞氧化应激损伤具有保护作用,其作用机制可能与提高海马细胞的抗氧化能力有关。     

Chemoprevention and cytotoxic effect of Bauhinia variegata against N-nitrosodiethylamine induced liver tumors and human cancer cell lines

The chemopreventive and cytotoxic effect of ethanol extract of Bauhinia variegata (EBV) was evaluated in N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg) induced experimental liver tumor in rats and human cancer cell lines. Oral administration of ethanol extract of Bauhinia variegata (250 mg/kg) effectively suppressed liver tumor induced by DEN as revealed by decrease in DEN induced elevated levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP), lipid peroxidase (LPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). The extract produced an increase in enzymatic antioxidant (superoxide dismutase and catalase) levels and total proteins when compared to those in liver tumor bearing rats. The histopathological changes of liver samples were compared with respective controls. EBV was found to be cytotoxic against human epithelial larynx cancer (HEp2) and human breast cancer (HBL-100) cells. These results show a significant chemopreventive and cytotoxic effect of ethanol extract of Bauhinia variegata against DEN induced liver tumor and human cancer cell lines.     

Modulating Effects of Pycnogenol® on Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage Induced by Sepsis in Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Pycnogenol® (Pyc), a complex plant extract from the bark of French maritime pine, on oxidative stress parameters (superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and total glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels), an inflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) level) and also DNA damage in Wistar albino rats. Rats were treated with 100 mg/kg intraperitonally Pyc following the induction of sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture. The decreases in MDA levels and increases in GSH levels, and SOD and GPx activities were observed in the livers and kidneys of Pyc‐treated septic rats. Plasma TNF‐α level was found to be decreased in the Pyc‐treated septic rats. In the lymphocytes, kidney, and liver tissue cells of the sepsis‐induced rats, Pyc treatment significantly decreased the DNA damage and oxidative base damage using standard alkaline assay and formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase‐modified comet assay, respectively. In conclusion, Pyc treatment might have a role in the prevention of sepsis‐induced oxidative damage not only by decreasing DNA damage but also increasing the antioxidant status and DNA repair capacity in rats. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of leaf extract of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) on chromium(VI) induced oxidative stress in albino rats

The present study reports the antioxidant activity of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), family Elaegnaceae, on chromium induced oxidative stress in male albino rats. Oxidative stress was induced in the rats by force-feeding of potassium dichromate equivalent to a dose of 30mg/kg body weight (BW) of chromium(VI) for 30 days. Administration of chromium decreased the body weight and increased organ to body weight ratio significantly. Chromium treatment significantly decreased reduced glutathione (GSH), and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels; further it also enhanced glutamate oxaloacetate transferase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transferase (GPT) levels in the serum. Different doses of the alcoholic leaf extract of Seabuckthorn were evaluated for the protection against the chromium induced oxidative stress. The results show that the leaf extract at a concentration of 100 and 250mg/kg BW protected the animals from the chromium induced oxidative injury significantly.     

Effects of yukmi, an herbal formula, on the liver of senescence accelerated mice (SAM) exposed to oxidative stress

The effects of yukmi (Decoction of six plants including rehmannia), an herbal formula, were studied on liver oxidant damage induced by paraquat (PQ) administered intravenously in the senescence accelerated mice (SAM-P/8). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase as two major antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation levels were determined for six days. Data show that the activities of hepatic SODs and catalase were increased by oral administration of yukmi extracts following PQ pretreatment. Herbal medicine effectively blocked the PQ-induced effects on liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. For the histopathological changes in SAM-P/8 liver, yukmi extracts inhibited PQ-induced damage to the hepatic mitochondria and their membranes. Data suggest that yukmi extracts may be useful in protecting against oxidative damage.     

Protective effect of a polysaccharide isolated from a cultivated Cordyceps mycelia on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells

Cordyceps sinensis as a well-known traditional Chinese tonic has many therapeutic functions. In the present study, an acid polysaccharide (APS) was isolated from cultivated Cordyceps mycelia by ion-exchange and sizing chromatography. The protective capacity of APS against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells was investigated by measuring cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, antioxidant enzyme activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca(2+). The results demonstrated that pretreatment of PC12 cells with APS, prior to H(2)O(2) exposure, significantly increased the survival of cells and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced the levels of LDH and MDA. Intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca(2+) were also inhibited by APS treatment. In conclusion, APS was found to increase the cellular antioxidant defence capacity, thereby protecting PC12 cells against oxidative stress.     

Possible Involvement of Nitric Oxide Modulatory Mechanisms in the Neuroprotective Effect of Centella asiatica Against Sleep Deprivation Induced Anxiety Like Behaviour,Oxidative Damage and Neuroinflammation

Sleep deprivation (SD) is an experience of inadequate or poor quality of sleep that may produce significant alterations in multiple neural systems. Centella asiatica (CA) is a psychoactive medicinal herb with immense therapeutic potential. The present study was designed to explore the possible nitric oxide (NO) modulatory mechanism in the neuroprotective effect of CA against SD induced anxiety like behaviour, oxidative damage and neuroinflammation. Male laca mice were sleep deprived for 72 h, and CA (150 and 300 mg/kg) was administered alone and in combination with NO modulators for 8 days, starting five days before 72‐h SD exposure. Various behavioural (locomotor activity, elevated plus maze) and biochemical (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, catalase, nitrite levels and superoxide dismutase activity), neuroinflammation marker (TNF‐alpha) were assessed subsequently. CA (150 and 300 mg/kg) treatment for 8 days significantly improved locomotor activity, anti‐anxiety like effect and attenuated oxidative damage and TNF α level as compared to sleep‐deprived 72‐h group. Also while the neuroprotective effect of CA was increased by NO antagonists, it was diminished by NO agonists. The present study suggests that NO modulatory mechanism could be involved in the protective effect of CA against SD‐induced anxiety‐like behaviour, oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in mice. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.