Insights On The Tunisian Prickly Pear Molasses As A Potential Antifibrotic And Antioxidant Candidate Against Lung Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive interstitial disease leading to pulmonary damage and respiratory failure.  We aimed to investigate the effect of prickly pear molasses (PPM) on an experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM) in Wistar rat. Animals were divided into 5 groups: the control group (G1), the BLM group (G2) and three groups (G3, G4, G5) receiving a single intra-tracheal injection of BLM (4 mg/kg) and PPM (at 2, 4.5 and10 %) that was introduced into the diet one week before BLM injection and continued for 3 weeks. Our phytochemical results revealed significant polyphenol and flavonoid content. LCMS analysis revealed the presence of Sinapinic acid, t-ferulic acid, t-cinnamic acid, Caffeic acid, gallic acid and vallinic acid among others. Our histological study revealed significant decrease in collagen deposition in the groups of rats treated with 4.5% and 10% molasses compared to BLM group. Oxidative stress in pulmonary tissues was investigated using catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. Treatment with PPM normalized the disturbance in the level of these oxidative markers in G3,G4, G5 compared to G2. In conclusion, PPM exhibit antifibrotic and antioxidant activities in BLM model of lung fibrosis.

Simultaneous Exposure to Noise and Toluene Induces Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage in the Heart of Wistar Rats: Therapeutic Potential of Olea europaea L. Leaf Extract.

Workers in occupational settings often face simultaneous exposure to multiple risk factors, including noise and chemicals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined exposure to noise and toluene on the cardiac health of rats, with a focus on assessing the potential mitigating effects of Olea europaea L. (OLE) leaf extract (40 mg/kg/day). The evaluation involved scrutinizing biochemical and hematological markers, quantifying oxidative stress levels, determining proinflammatory cytokines in the serum, and conducting an in silico Docking studies. Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups-(n = 6/group):-Control-group-(C),-OLE-group-(Rats administered OLE), NT-group (rats co-exposed to noise and toluene), NT-4 group-(rats co-exposed to noise and toluene four weeks after the exposure period), NT + OLE1-group (rats co-exposed to noise and toluene treated with OLE for one week), NT + OLE2-group-(rats co-exposed to noise and toluene treated with OLE for two weeks), NT + OLE3-group-(rats co-exposed to noise and toluene treated with OLE for three weeks), and NT + OLE4-group (rats co-exposed to noise and toluene treated with OLE for four weeks). The results revealed that combined exposure to noise and toluene led to oxidative damage and increased serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines. However, OLE treatment attenuated these effects by reducing lipid peroxidation and enhancing catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Additionally, OLE treatment significantly decreased proinflammatory cytokine levels compared to the noise and toluene co-exposed group. The study highlighted the potential of OLE to attenuate the adverse effects of combined exposure to noise and toluene, attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Olea europaea L. leaf extract mitigates pulmonary inflammation and tissue destruction in Wistar rats induced by concurrent exposure to noise and toluene.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined exposure to noise (85 dB(A)) and inhaled Toluene (300 ± 10 ppm) on rat lung health. It also aimed to assess the potential therapeutic effects of Olea europaea L. leaves extract (OLE) (40 mg/kg/day) using biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses, as well as determination of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß), and in silico Docking studies. The experiment involved forty-two male Wistar rats divided into seven groups, each exposed to a 6-week/6-hour/day regimen of noise and Toluene. The groups included a control group, rats co-exposed to noise and Toluene, and rats co-exposed to noise and Toluene treated with OLE for different durations. The results indicated that noise and Toluene exposure led to structural damage in lung tissue, oxidative harm, and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß). However, the administration of OLE extract demonstrated positive effects in mitigating these adverse outcomes. OLE treatment reduced lipid peroxidation and enhanced the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, indicating its anti-oxidant properties. Furthermore, OLE significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to the groups exposed to noise and Toluene without OLE treatment. Moreover, the in silico investigation substantiated a robust affinity between COX-2 and OLE components, affirming the anti-inflammatory activity. Overall, our findings suggest that OLE possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties that mitigate the adverse effects of concurrent exposure to noise and Toluene.

Phœnix dactylifera, L. seed oil alleviates Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and oxidative stress in Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most serious form of interstitial lung disease. We aimed to investigate the effect of Phœnix dactylifera, L. seed oil (DSO) on a murine model of IPF induced by bleomycin (BLM). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated with a single intra-tracheal injection of BLM (4 mg/kg) and a daily intraperitoneal injection of DSO (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Our phytochemical results showed that DSO has an important antioxidant activity with a high content of polyphenols and flavonoids. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed a high amount of oleic and lauric acids and a large quantity of vitamins. Histological examination showed a significant reduction in fibrosis score and collagen bands in the group of rats treated with 75 mg/kg of DSO compared to the BLM group. DSO (75 mg/kg) reversed also the increase in catalase and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels while higher doses (150 and 300 mg/kg) are ineffective against the deleterious effects of BLM. We revealed also that DSO has no renal or hepatic cytotoxic effects. CONCLUSION: DSO can play antioxidant and antifibrotic effects on rat models of pulmonary fibrosis at the lowest dose administered.