Avicenna Journal of Medical Biochemistry
Volume:8 Issue: 1, Jun 2020

The anti-sickling activity of Anogeissus leiocarpus, a plant used for managing sickle cell disease (SCD), has been previously proven.

This study investigated the anti-sickling mechanism of A. leiocarpus by probing its effects on Gardos channel (KCNN4), erythropoietin (EPO), erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), catalase (CAT), G6pD, D-type cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (p21) gene expression as well as assessing in silico drug-likeness of reported compounds as EPOR agonist.

A total of 18 rats (45-76 g) were selected and divided into 6 groups (n=3). The control group was given water ad libitum, standard group was given 0.1 mL/kg of Ciklavit® and experimental group was given daily oral doses of 50-100 mg/kg body weight of crude methanol extract or ethyl acetate fraction (EA-PF). Haematological parameters were analyzed while histopathological and molecular studies of kidney and bone marrow were carried out, followed by RT-PCR analysis of KCNN4, EPO, EPOR, CAT, G6pD, p21, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Docking studies of the reported compounds were also done.

EA-PF had an insignificant (P>0.05) effect on haematological parameters compared to the basal group. While CAT and p21 acted in a positive feedback loop, G6pD was downregulated in the experimental groups. KCNN4 acted in a negative-feedback mechanism and the upregulation of EPO and EPOR was followed by increased reticulocytes. Kaempferol, quercetin, and catechin showed non-violation of Lipinski’s rule and high binding affinities of 6.5 kcal/mol, 6.7 kcal/mol, and 6.7 kcal/mol, respectively, for EPOR pocket compared to the co-crystallized ligand.

Results suggest that ethyl acetate fraction of Anogeissus leiocarpus achieved a steady state level of the Gardos channel and stimulation of EPO expression via EPOR agonist.

There is a growing trend towards the use of medicinal plant that can prevent degeneration of pancreatic cells and regenerate islet cells in diabetes treatment

The possible effects of the extracts of Spondias mombin leaves on the regeneration of pancreatic beta cells in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were determined in this study.

Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (A-E) including normal and diabetic rats. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of S. mombin were administered orally to diabetic rats in groups D and E for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected for serum insulin and C-peptide assays. The pancreases were also collected for histopathological examination. Additionally, mineral and vitamin contents of the leaves were determined using standard procedures.

The highest vitamin content was vitamin C in the leaves, while the highest mineral content was calcium. Treatment with extracts of Spondias mombin attenuated the STZ-induced hypoinsulinemia, which was evident from the increased serum insulin and c-peptide levels in the extract treated groups. Histopathological examination of the pancreas revealed an increase in the number and size of the pancreatic beta cells in the extracts treated groups in comparison to the shrunken and diminished islet cells observed in the untreated animals.

Extracts of S. mombin leaves are capable of regenerating pancreatic β-cells which were destroyed by streptozotocin induction.

Hemoglobin (Hb), oxygen, carbon dioxide, and electron transporter of the body, may enter to an oxidation process that can convert oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) to methemoglobin (metHb) and hemichrome. Surfactants can facilitate oxidation process that may accumulate hemichrome in red blood cells.

In the present study, the interaction of purified Hb with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, 0-5 mM) and ascorbic acid (AA, 0-5 mM) was evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and multivariate curve resolution techniques.

Reconstructed spectral and concentration profiles showed three forms of Hb name as oxyHb, metHb, and hemichrome with lack of fit values less than 1.85%. AA hindered the oxidation process of Hb.

A decrease in critical micelle concentration of SDS in the presence of AA and interaction of AA with hydrogen peroxide, which is produced during the interaction of Hb with SDS, are two reasons for diminution in the oxidation process of Hb when accompanied with AA.

Protective effect of medicinal plants on the heart has been reported, but the effect of resistance training (RT) and Tribulus terrestris (TT) on the heart exposed to anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) abuse is still unknown.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of RT and TT on androgen receptor-1 (ar-1), Fas ligand (fasl) gene expression and lipid profiles in rats exposed to stanozolol (S).

Thirty-five male rats were selected and divided into 7 groups as follows: (1) sham (normal saline/Sh), (2) stanozolol (S), (3) S+100 mg/kg TT (S+TT100), (4) S+ 50 mg/kg TT (S+TT50), (5) S+RT+TT, (6) S+RT+TT100, and (7) S+RT+TT50. Over a course of eight-week period, groups 3, 4, 6, and 7 received 50 and 100 mg/kg/d doses of TT peritoneally and groups 5-7 performed three sessions of increasing RT per week.

RT decreased plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, as well as ar-1 and fasl gene expression in S-exposed rats (P<0.05). TT50, TT100, SRTT100, and SRTT50 reduced ar-1 and fasl gene expressions (P<0.05). TT50 reduced triglyceride (TG), cholesterol and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (P≤0.01), and TT100 decreased LDL-C levels (P<0.05). Additionally, SRTT100 reduced TG, cholesterol, and LDL-C levels and increased HDL-C level (P<0.05), and SRTT50 decreased cholesterol level and increased HDL-C level in S-exposed rats (P<0.05).

RT and consumption of TT appear to have protective effects on the improvement of apoptosisdependent androgen receptor-1 and lipid profile in S-exposed rats.

Cell toxicity due to diethanolamine (DEA) is well known but no data are available regarding its mechanism. The present study investigated the cell viability and proliferation ability of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) treated with DEA.

At 3rd passages, BMSCs were treated for 12, 24, and 48 hours with 0.025 to 16 mM of bis(2- ethylhexyl) phthalate. The cell viability was estimated using the trypan blue and MTT, then 1, 4, and 16 mM, and 48 hours were selected as well. Next, other parameters were determined, including proliferation ability, cell morphology, sodium and potassium levels, as well as the concentration of calcium, total protein, and the activity of metabolic enzymes (i.e., alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]). Finally, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase were measured based on the aim of the study.

Based on the results, the viability reduced significantly from 0.6 mM at 12 hours and 0.2 for 24 and 48 hours (P<0.05). In addition, the proliferation ability showed a significant reduction (P<0.05) while the activity of LDH, ALT, and AST increased significantly (P<0.05). The level of electrolytes at 1 mM treatment demonstrated no change (P>0.05) whereas 4 mM concentration caused a decline in the calcium level while increased the sodium significantly (P<0.05). The results further revealed that the level of MDA increased although the activity of antioxidant enzymes and TAC represented a significant reduction (P<0.05). No change was detected in the morphology of nuclei while cytoplasm shrinkage and roundness were observable.

In general, the findings of this study showed that DEA reduced the viability and proliferation of BMSCs via metabolic change, electrolyte imbalance, and the induction of oxidative stress.

Diazinon, one of the most known organophosphate pesticides (OPs), has harmful effects on human organs. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition, oxidative stress, and inflammation are the major mechanisms of diazinon toxicity. Diazinon has several toxic effects on the liver. Resveratrol (RES) is a natural polyphenol compound with antitumor, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. This compound can inhibit lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and DNA damage. Moreover, it can induce sirt-1, PI3K/AKT, and HO-1 pathways (negative regulators of inflammatory pathways). A large body of evidence indicated that resveratrol can attenuate liver damage by organophosphates. In this short review, we discuss the significant role of this phytoestrogen and antioxidant against the hepatotoxic effect of diazinon as an OP. With elucidation of the role of this supplement in reducing harmful effects of diazinon, it can be used as a protective agent in people at risk of adverse effects of diazinon.

This brief review provided evidence for the role of green tea extract (GTE)/zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in a variety of biomedical applications against the toxic effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSG is used to enhance the taste, however it causes oxidative stress in the long-term. Many effects of MSG consumption on the brain, obesity, sex organs, and metabolism have been verified. This review covered the effect of GTE/ZnO NPs on many different organs including the liver, kidney, heart, spleen, testis, brain, and pancreas after being exposed to MSG. The review indicated that the toxicity induced by MSG could be restored by GTE/ZnO NPs in different organs. Accordingly, the green nanoparticles could be attended as a futuristic approach to be used against any toxic substance.