Phytochemical profiling and nephroprotective potential of ethanolic leaf extract of Polyalthia longifolia against cisplatin-induced oxidative stress in rat model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Kidney problems are becoming more common globally and are considered a major health issue in the modern world with high mortality rate. Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites is a tropical ethnomedicinal plant used to treat various diseases like diabetes, hypertension and urinary disorders and possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition of 70% ethanolic leaf extract of Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites (PL) and evaluates its nephroprotective effects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The leaves of PL were extracted with 70% ethanol and performed the phytochemical profiling using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). The nephroprotective effect of PL leaf extract was evaluated at three doses (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) for 14 days against cisplatin toxicity (16 mg/kg, i.p., once) in male Wistar rats. Body and kidney weight indices, kidney function markers and lipid profile markers in serum, and oxidative stress markers in kidney tissue were performed along with the histopathological analysis of kidney. RESULTS: The LC-MS chromatograph confirmed the presence of various phytocompounds include N-Methylhernagine (aporphine alkaloid), 4-Acetamidobutanoic acid (gamma amino acid) and choline, etc. in the PL leaf extract. Exposure of cisplatin (16 mg/kg, i.p., once only) to the animals significantly elevated the levels of kidney functional markers (i.e. serum urea, uric acid, creatinine) and the lipid markers (triglyceride and total cholesterol) in blood circulation with depletion of serum albumin which were reversed by the therapy of PL leaf extract (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) in dose-dependent manner. The altered level of body and kidney weight in cisplatin treated group was also restored by the therapy. PL leaf extract effectively improved the antioxidant defense system of kidney at all doses by restoring the levels of tissue glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase with the dose-dependent reduction of lipid peroxidation against cisplatin-induced renal oxidative stress. The histopathological observations also showed the significant recovery in cellular morphology after PL treatment when compared to the cisplatin toxicity group. The highest dose 600 mg/kg of PL leaf extract showed more pronounced renal recovery (p < 0.001) followed by other two doses, which was similar to the silymarin treatment group (a reference drug) against nephrotoxicity. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed the nephroprotective effects of PL leaves against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by reversing the level of biochemical markers and mitigating oxidative stress as well as improving the architecture of renal tissues. This renal protection by PL might be due to the synergistic effect of its phytoconstituents and antioxidant efficacy.

Ameliorative impact of herbal formulation -Majoon-Dabeed-ul-ward and Sharbat-e-Deenar against CCl4 induced liver toxicity via regulation of antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress.

Polyherbal Unani formulations have been used in the treatment of liver diseases for a long time. (Ibrahim M, Khaja MN, Aara A, Khan AA, Habeeb MA, Devi YP, Narasu ML, Habibullah CM. Hepatoprotective activity of Sapindus mukorossi and Rheum emodi extracts: in vitro and in vivo studies. World J Gastroenterol. 2008:14:2566-2571.) The aim of the present study was to investigate comparative hepatoprotective potential of Majoon-e-Dabeed-ul-ward (MD) and Sharbat-e-Deenar (SD) against CCl4 induced subchronic hepatic toxicity. In vivo study, albino rats were divided into 5 groups. Group I was control; Group II was experimental control treated with CCl4 (0.15 mL/kg, i.p. for 21 days); Groups III-IV treated with SD (2 mL/kg, p.o.) and MD (1,000 mg/kg, p.o.) for 5 days following CCl4 intoxication as in group 2 respectively; and Group V was positive control treated with silymarin (50 mg/kg, p.o.). In vitro hepatoprotective activity of SD and MD (25, 50, and 100 µg/mL) was assessed by SRB assay and flow cytometry analysis. CCl4 exposure significantly elevated the release of hepatic enzymes i.e. AST, ALT, LDH, and SALP in serum and lipid peroxidation in liver tissue which all these parameters were reversed after SD and MD administration. Therapy for 5 days also normalized the levels of antioxidant enzymes i.e. catalase, SOD, GPx, GR, tissue GSH, and aniline hydroxylase in CCl4 treated group. DNA damage and histological alterations caused by CCl4 were restored towards normal group. In vitro study showed protective effect of SD and MD against CCl4 treated HepG2 cell lines and rat hepatocytes. The results suggested that MD has a significant hepatoprotective potential and regulatory effect on oxidative stress than SD against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity, and that this effect may be related to its antioxidant activity.

Development of a sulfidogenic bioreactor system for removal of co-existent selenium, iron and nitrate from drinking water sources.

The present study showed for the first time that selenium, iron, and nitrate could be simultaneously removed in a sulfidogenic bioreactor to meet drinking water standards. A bioreactor inoculated with mixed bacterial consortium was operated for around 330 days in anoxic environment at 30 °C under varying combination of influent selenate (200-1000 µg/L as selenium), and iron (3-10 mg/L) in presence of 50 mg/L of nitrate. Required amount of acetic acid (as carbon source) and sulfate were supplied and the reactor was operated at different empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 45-120 min. Along with complete removal of nitrate, the reactor removed both selenium and iron to meet the drinking water standards. Field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the formation of selenium sulfide (SeS), achavalite (FeSe) and pyrite (FeS2), which were the possible removal mechanisms of selenium and iron. Thus, this study exhibited that selenium, iron, and nitrate can be simultaneously removed to meet the drinking water standards in a sulfidogenic bioreactor.

Hepatoprotective efficacy of Sharbat-e-Deenar against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective efficacy of Sharbat-e-Deenar (SD) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatic damage in a rat model. The antioxidant activity of SD was estimated by DPPH assay, H(2)O(2) assay, and total phenolic contents. SD therapy at doses of 1, 2, and 4 mL/kg, orally, was administered after CCl(4) intoxication (1.5 mL/kg, intraperitoneally for 48 hours) in experimental animals. Hexobarbitone sleep time and bromosulfophthalein retention time also were determined against CCl(4)-induced liver damage. Exposure to CCl(4) in experimental animals showed biochemical and histopathological deterioration in the liver. Treatment with SD showed a marked protection on biochemical parameters, that is, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, albumin, and urea. SD therapy exhibited a protective effect by restoring the level of lipid peroxidation-reduced glutathione, adenosine triphosphate, and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase). Treatment with SD significantly recovered the level of hexobarbitone sleep time and bromosulfophthalein retention time. DPPH and H(2)O(2) assays showed antioxidant properties in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological observations of liver sections showed recovery in liver architecture after SD treatment. These results indicate that SD exerts a protective effect on CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity, which may be due to its antioxidant properties.

Therapeutic efficacy of Rosa damascena Mill. on acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress in albino rats.

Rosa damascena (RD) is a widely cultivated ornamental plant. It acts as an astringent, aperients, carminative, and refrigerant and is used in respiratory disorders, tonsillitis, eye disorders, migraines, gynecological disorders, and menopausal symptoms. The aim of this study is to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of RD flowers at different oral dose levels (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight) on acetaminophen (2 g/kg oral N-acetyl-p-aminophenol [APAP])-induced toxicity in rats. APAP administration altered various biochemical parameters, including serum transaminases, serum alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, bilirubin, urea and creatinine, hepatic lipid peroxidation, and reduced glutathione levels. Adenosine triphosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase activity in the liver was decreased significantly in animals treated with APAP. These values are retrieved significantly by treatment with RD extract at all 3 doses in dose-dependant manner. Apart from these, histopathological changes also reveal the protective nature of the RD extract against acetaminophen-induced necrotic damage of hepatic tissues. In conclusion, these data suggest that the aqueous extract of RD may prevent hepatic damage from APAP-induced toxicity in rats and is likely to be mediated through its antioxidant activities.

Evaluation of the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of Majoon-e-Dabeed-ul-ward against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury.

The present study was designed to demonstrate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of Majoon-e-Dabeed-ul-ward, a Unani herbal formulation. The Majoon-e-Dabeed-ul-ward (MD) at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o. was administered after carbon-tetrachloride (CCl(4); 1.5 ml/kg, i.p. once only) intoxication. Treatment with MD at three doses brought the levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, albumin and urea in dose dependent manner. Signification reduction was found in TBARS content and restored the level of reduced glutathione, adenosine triphosphatase, and glucose-6-phosphatase in liver. Therapy of MD showed its protective effect on biochemical and histopathological observation at all the three doses in a dose dependent manner. The study conducted showed that MD possesses strong hepatoprotective activity as decrease the hexobarbitone sleep time and improvement in physiological parameter, excretory capacity (BSP retention time) was seen. DPPH and H(2)O(2) scavenging effects indicated its potent antioxidant activities. The results revealed that MD could afford significant dose-dependent protection against CCl(4) induced hepatocellular injury.