Fermented Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) Ameliorates Sodium Fluoride-Induced Cardiorenal Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation via Modulation of NF-κB/IκB/IκKB Signaling Pathway in Wistar Rats.

High dose of fluoride intake is associated with toxic effects on kidney and cardiac tissues. This study evaluated the potential protective effect of fermented rooibos tea (RTE) on sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced cardiorenal toxicity in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 56) were randomly allocated into one of seven equal groups: control, NaF (100 mg/kg orally), NaF + RTE (2%, w/v), NaF + RTE (4%, w/v), NaF + lisinopril (10 mg/kg orally), 2% RTE, and 4% RTE. The experiment lasted for 14 days and RTE was administered to the rats as their sole source of drinking fluid. NaF induced cardiorenal toxicity indicated by elevated level of urea, creatinine, LDH, creatinine kinase-MB, and cardiac troponin I in the serum, accompanied by altered histopathology of the kidney and heart. Furthermore, levels of H2O2, malondialdehyde, and NO were elevated, while GSH level was depleted in the kidney and heart due to NaF intoxication. Protein levels of c-reactive protein, TNFα, IL-1B, and NF-κB were increased by NaF in the serum, kidney, and heart. RTE at 2% and 4% (w/v) reversed cardiorenal toxicity, resolved histopathological impairment, attenuated oxidative stress and inhibited formation of pro-inflammatory markers. RTE at both concentrations down-regulates the mRNA expression of NF-κB, and upregulates the mRNA expression of both IκB and IκKB, thus blocking the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, these results clearly suggest that the protective potential of rooibos tea against NaF-induced cardiorenal toxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation may be associated with the modulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Justicia carnea extracts ameliorated hepatocellular damage in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic male rats via decrease in oxidative stress, inflammation and increasing other risk markers.

IntroductionDiabetes mellitus is still a raging disease not fully subdued globally, especially in Africa. Our study aims to evaluate the anti-diabetic potentials of Justicia carnea extracts [crude (JCC), free (JFP) and bound phenol (JBP) fractions], in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type-1 diabetes in male albino rats.Materials and MethodsAbout thirty (30) animals were induced for type 1 diabetes with STZ; thereafter, treatment began for 14 days, after which the animals were euthanized, blood/serum was collected, the liver was removed and divided into two portions, for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Standard procedures were used to evaluate the liver biomarkers, like alanine transaminase (ALT), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glucose-6- phosphatase, hexokinase activities, albumin, bilirubin, hepatic glucose concentrations; antioxidant status and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were similarly assessed.ResultsThese results revealed that the extracts ameliorated the harmful effects of STZ-induced diabetes in the liver by enhancing the activities of liver-based biomarkers, reducing the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine.DiscussionThe results agreed with previous research, and the free phenol fraction showed excellent results compared to othersConclusionThese suggested that J. carnea could serve as an alternative remedy in ameliorating liver complications linked to oxidative damage and inflammation in STZ-induced type-1 diabetes.

Ameliorative effect of flavonoid-rich extracts from Gongronema latifolium against diabetic cardiomyopathy via serpin A3 and socs3-a in streptozocin treated rats.

INTRODUCTION: The present study access the effect of the flavonoid-rich extract from Gongronema latifolium against cardiomyopathy streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The flavonoid-rich extract from G. latifolium leaf (FREGL) was prepared using a standard method. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin. The experimental animals were divided into five groups as non-diabetic rats, diabetic control, diabetic rats administered low and high doses of FREGL (13 and 26 mg/kg), and metformin-glibenclamide orally for 21 days. Hence, the experimental animals were sacrificed; blood and heart were harvested to determine diverse biochemical parameters, including the gene expressions of serpin A3 and socs3-a as well as histological examination. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that FREGL significantly (p < 0.05) reduced fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), lipid peroxidation levels, as well as the activities of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase-MB, including the relative gene expressions of serpin A3 and Socs3-A in diabetic rats. Also, diabetic rats that received different doses of FREGL showed a substantial rise in insulin and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, as well as, normal histoarchitecture of the heart tissues. CONCLUSION: Therefore, FREGL may be beneficial in alleviating diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Herbal Therapy: Pertinent Issues Relating to Toxicity and Standardization of Phytopharmaceuticals.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virulent viral disease that has now become a public health emergency of global significance and still without an approved treatment regimen or cure. In the absence of curative drugs and with vaccines development still in progress, alternative approaches to stem the tide of the pandemic are being considered. The potential of a phytotherapeutic approach in the management of the dreaded disease has gained attention, especially in developing countries, with several claims of the development of anti-COVID-19 herbal formulations. This is a plausible approach especially with the increasing acceptance of herbal medicine in both alternative and orthodox medical practices worldwide. Also, the established efficacy of herbal remedies in the treatment of numerous viral diseases including those caused by coronaviruses, as well as diseases with symptoms associated with COVID-19, presents a valid case for serious consideration of herbal medicine in the treatment of COVID-19. However, there are legitimate concerns and daunting challenges with the use of herbs and herbal products. These include issues of quality control, unethical production practice, inadequate information on the composition, use and mechanisms, weak regulatory policies, herb-drug interactions and adverse reactions, and the tendency for abuse. This review discusses the feasibility of intervention with herbal medicine in the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to take proactive measures to protect public health by improving the quality and safety of herbal medicine deployed to combat the disease. Graphical abstract. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43450-021-00132-x.

Hepatoprotective properties of aqueous leaf extract of Persea Americana, Mill (Lauraceae) 'avocado' against CCL4-induced damage in rats.

BACKGROUND: Natural products from plants have received considerable attention in recent years due to their diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidants and hepatoprotective activities. The protective effects of aqueous extract of Persea americana (AEPA) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liver damage was induced in rats by administering a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of CCl4 and olive oil [3 ml/kg, subcutaneously (sc)] after pre-treatment for 7 days with AEPA. Hepatoprotective effects of AEPA was evaluated by estimating the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and levels of total bilirubin (TBL). The effects of AEPA on biomarkers of oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation) and antioxidant enzymes namely, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were measured in liver post mitochondrial fraction. RESULTS: AEPA and Reducdyn® showed significant (p<0.05) hepatoprotective activity by decreasing the activities of ALT, AST, ALP and reducing the levels of TBL. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls were also decreased dose-dependently in the AEPA-treated rats. Pre-treatment with AEPA also decreased the serum levels of glutathione significantly. CONCLUSION: These data revealed that AEPA possesses significant hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced toxicity attributable to its constituent phytochemicals. The mechanism of hepatoprotection seems to be through modulation of antioxidant enzyme system.

Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic potential of Persea americana leaf extracts.

The effect of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of Persea americana on plasma glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CHOL), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CHOL) in rats was investigated. Albino rats were fed a diet containing 20% groundnut oil, 0.5% cholesterol, and 0.25% cholic acid to induce hypercholesterolemia. They were then treated daily with aqueous or methanolic extract of P. americana leaf (10 mg/kg of body weight) for 8 weeks. There were no significant (P > .05) differences in the overall body weight gain of the hypercholesterolemic rats compared to normal control. Liver to body weight ratio, plasma glucose, total cholesterol (T-CHOL), and LDL-CHOL levels were significantly (P < .05) elevated in rats fed hypercholesterolemic diet compared to normal controls. The administration of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of P. americana induced reductions in plasma glucose (16% and 11%,respectively), T-CHOL (8% and 5%, respectively), and LDL-CHOL (19% and 20%, respectively) in the treated rats compared to the hypercholesterolemic controls. Also, plasma HDL-CHOL concentrations increased by 85% and 68%, respectively, in the aqueous and methanolic extract-treated rats compared to the hypercholesterolemic controls. These results suggest that aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of P. americana lower plasma glucose and influence lipid metabolism in hypercholesterolemic rats with consequent lowering of T-CHOL and LDL-CHOL and a restoration of HDL-CHOL levels. This could represent a protective mechanism against the development of atherosclerosis.