Royal jelly arranges apoptotic and oxidative stress pathways and reduces damage to liver tissues of rats by down-regulation of Bcl-2, GSK3 and NF-κB and up-regulation of caspase and Nrf-2 protein signalling pathways.

IntroductionRoyal jelly (RJ) from the honey bee, Apis mellifera, is a traditional product that is widely used as a food supplement to support the medical treatment of various diseases.Material and methodsOur study continued for 8 weeks. 42 Wistar albino (8 weeks old) male rats were used in the study. The study included 6 groups; Group 1: Control group (fed with standard diet), Group 2: RJ (100 mg/kg, bw), Group 3: F-50 (50 mg/kg, bw), group 4: F-100 (100 mg/kg, bw) group 5: F-50 (50 mg/kg, bw) + RJ (100 mg/kg, bw) Group 6: F-100 (100 mg/kg, bw) + RJ (100 mg/kg, bw). Malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) activities in liver tissue were determined by spectrophotometer. Liver tissue samples were examined histopathologically and various protein levels were determined by Western blotting technique.ResultsRJ caused a significant decrease in MDA level, Bcl-2, GSK3 and NF-κB protein expression levels, whereas induced a significant increase in GSH level, CAT activities and Bax, BDNF, caspase-6, caspase-3, Nrf-2 protein expression levels.ConclusionOur findings suggest RJ to be used as a hepatoprotective agent in the clinic to modulate the toxic effects of fluoride and other chemicals in the future.

In vitro and histological investigation of antitumor effect of some triazole compounds in colon cancer cell line.

1,2,4-Triazoles are used as antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antioxidant against some oxidative radical species. Recently, many 1,2,4-triazoles continue to be synthesized. In this study, the effect of the 1,2,4-triazole derivatives on human colon cancer (HT29) was investigated in vitro and in vivo in rats. MTT test was applied to in in vitro experiments. For in vivo study, rats were divided into seven groups as follows: Control group (negative control), azoxymethane (AOM), AOM + cisplatin 15, AOM + L1, AOM + L2, AOM + L3, and AOM + L4. To create colon cancer, the AOM injection was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 15 mg/kg, three times (once weekly). The in vivo studies were completed at 28 weeks. It was found that the 1,2,4-triazole derivatives reduced the cell viability (P < 0.05). In all animals in the experimental groups, mild dysplasia was detected in 100% of the colon mucosal epithelium. Severe dysplasia and adenocarcinoma were observed in L1 groups. As a result, this study determined that the 1,2,4-triazole derivatives exhibit antitumor activity.

Evaluation of antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of 1,2-bis (p-amino-phenoxy) ethane derivative Schiff bases and metal complexes.

In this study, the effects of the two Schiff base derivatives and their metal complexes were tested for MDA concentration, which is an indicator of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C levels in cell culture. A comparison was performed among the groups and it was observed that MDA, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C concentrations were statistically changed. According to the results, all compounds caused a significant oxidative stress without Zn complexes. Moreover, Mn(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ni(II) complexes of Schiff bases derived from a condensation of 1,2-bis (p-aminophenoxy) ethane with naphthaldehydes and 4-methoxy benzaldehyde were examined in terms of antitumor activity against MCF-7 human breast cancer and L1210 murine leukemia cells. Furthermore, the derivatives were tested for antioxidative and prooxidative effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The compounds which were tested revealed that there was an antitumor activity for MCF-7 and L 1210 cancer cells. Also, some of the compounds induced oxidative harmful.

Biochemical evaluation of hydroxyurea derivative schiff bases in liver of rats.

In this study, it was aimed to examine the antioxidant and antihepatotoxic effects of hydroxyurea derivative Schiff bases on serum biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, LDH, urea, creatinine and total bilirubin) and antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, GPx, MDA). In this study, a total of 49 adult male Wistar rats was examined and they were divided into 7 equal groups. DMSO, which is diluted only with corn oil, was administered to control group. 25 mg / kg ligand, 25 mg / kg Schiff base - manganese, 25 mg / kg Schiff base-copper, 25 mg / kg Schiff base - zinc, 25 mg / kg Schiff base - nickel, 25 mg / kg Schiff base - cobalt complexes were administered to rats of experimental group subcutaneously for 15 days with three-day intervals throughout the test process. All specimens were killed by decapitation and their livers were extracted. According to the results obtained, ALT level was observed to be higher (P<0.05) in the Cu-L group compared to other groups. LDH level was observed to be higher (P<0.05) in the Cu-L and Co-L groups compared to other groups. SOD level was observed to be higher (P<0.05) in the Cu-L, Mn-L and Zn-L groups compared to other groups. MDA level was observed to be higher (P<0.05) in the Ni-L, Cu-L, Zn-L groups compared to other groups. In conclusion, it can be suggested that the determination of the pharmacological characteristics of them can be beneficial in numerous fields of application thanks to the antioxidant and hepatotoxic activities demonstrated by hydroxyurea derivative Schiff bases.

Investigation of anti-proliferative and antioxidative effects of some bis (α-amino) phosphinic acid derivatives.

Aminophosphinic acids which are organophosphorus compounds widely investigated for potential production of antibacterial, antitumor and antiviral materials. In vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of synthesized novel compounds of 8 different bis(ß-amino alkyl)phosphinic acids (4a-h) were investigated on MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cell and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cultures. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated as an indication of lipid peroxidation in cell cultures for antioxidant capacities. In vitro antioxidant activities in cell cultures were determined by evaluating totals of antioxidant, oxidant, thiol levels and activities of paraoxanase, aryl esterase. It was found that 4c compound reduced MDA level significantly while 4a and 4g compounds increased MDA levels significantly compared to control. 4c compound was found most effective in reducing MDA levels by neutralizing reactive oxygen species to prevent cell damage while compounds 4c, 4f and 4h were found presenting adequate activity with other antioxidants. In vitro anti-proliferation was evaluated on MCF-7 and HUVEC cells using XTT to investigate anti-cancer potentials as therapeutics. Compounds 4c, 4e and 4f were exhibited better compared to others. Most compounds were found cytotoxic to both MCF-7 and HUVECs. Antimicrobial and antifungal activities were investigated by disc diffusion and compared to MICs of Gentamycin and Nystatin.

Royal jelly protects brain tissue against fluoride-induced damage by activating Bcl-2/NF-κB/caspase-3/caspase-6/Bax and Erk signaling pathways in rats.

This study is aimed at determining whether royal jelly (RJ) which has a powerful antioxidant property prevents fluoride-induced brain tissue damage and exploring whether Bcl-2/NF-κB/ and caspase-3/caspase-6/Bax/Erk pathways play a critical role in the neuroprotective effect of RJ. Wistar albino rats were chosen for the study, and they were randomly distributed into six groups: (i) control; (ii) royal jelly; (iii) fluoride-50; (iv) fluoride-100; (v) fluoride-50 + royal jelly; (vi) fluoride-100 + royal jelly. We established fluoride-induced brain tissue damage with 8-week-old male Wistar albino rats by administration of fluoride exposure (either 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg bw) through drinking water for 8 weeks. Then, the study duration is for 56 days where the rats were treated with or without RJ (100 mg/kg bw) through oral gavage. The effects of RJ on glutathione (GSH), catalase activity (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined via spectrophotometer. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the effects of royal jelly on the protein expression levels of Bax, caspase-3, caspase-6, Bcl-2, NF-κB, COX-2, and Erk. It was also studied the effects of RJ on histopathological alterations in fluoride-induced damage to the rat brain. As a result, the Bcl-2, NF-κB, and COX-2 protein expression levels were increased in the fluoride-treated (50 and 100 mg/kg) groups but they were decreased significantly by RJ treatment in the brain tissue. Additionally, the protein expression of caspase-3, caspase-6, Bax, and Erk were decreased in fluoride-treated groups and they were significantly increased by RJ treatment compared to the un-treated rats. Our results suggested that RJ prevented fluoride-induced brain tissue damage through anti-antioxidant activities.

Activation of Nrf-2 Transcription Factor and Caspase Pathway with Royal Jelly Reduces Fluoride Induced Testicular Damage and Infertility in Rats.

This study was carried out to investigate the protective properties of royal jelly on the testicular tissue of rats with testicular damage by giving fluoride. Sperm motility, epididymal sperm density and abnormal sperm ratios were examined and visualized with a light microscope. Expression levels of Caspase-3, Bcl-2, Nrf-2, NF-κB, COX-2, TNF-α and IL1-α proteins in testis tissue were determined by western blot technique. As a result of the study, MDA level, expression level of Bcl-2, NFÒ¡B, COX-2, TNF-α and IL1-α proteins, abnormal sperm rates were found higher in Fluoride-50 and Fluoride100 groups compared to other groups. In addition GSH, Catalase enzyme levels, expression levels of Caspase-3 and Nrf-2 proteins were found to be higher in Fluoride + Royal Jelly groups compared to Fluoride-50 and Fluoride-100 groups. In addition, lower degeneration of testicular tissue was found in the histological evaluation in the Fluoride + Royal Jelly groups compared to the other groups. When the data are evaluated royal jelly provides effective protection against testicular damage. From this point of view, we hope that similar results will be obtained when royal jelly is tested on humans.

Phytochemical compounds and antiradical, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of the extracts from Hypericum scabrum L. Flowers.

Hypericum scabrum L. has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases just as the other Hypericum species. In the present study, the antiradical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of water and ethanol extracts of H. scabrum flowers were investigated. Their phytochemical contents and composition were also determined. The water and ethanol extracts are better scavenged ABTS (97.89 and 98.99%) and OH radicals (96.36 and 97.33%); the water extract is better scavenged DPPH radicals (91.66%) than the standard antioxidant BHA (94.33, 85.19, 90.16%, respectively). Flowers of H. scabrum contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, vitamins and phytosterols, dominated by catechin, vanillic acid, vitamin K and ergosterol. The extracts exhibit a strong cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, HCT-116, and LNCaP cancer cell lines. It is found that their antimicrobial activities are higher than the standard antibiotics. These results indicate that H. scabrum flowers have potent antiradical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.

Synthesis and biological activities of some novel aminomethyl derivatives of 4-substituted-5-(2-thienyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones.

A novel series of compounds were synthesized by cyclic condensation reaction of substituted isothiocyanate (2a-c) with 2-thiophenecarboxylic acid hydrazide (1) in the presence of ethyl alcohol, to obtain intermediate thiosemicarbazides (3a-c), which were further treated with sodium hydroxide in the presence of ethanol to obtain triazole derivatives (4a-c). The latter were refluxed with substituted secondary amines and formaldehyde for 6-10 h to afford Mannich bases (5a-k). The synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of their spectral (IR, (13)C and (1)H NMR) data and evaluated for biological activities. Some of the compounds were found to exhibit significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.