Investigation of the effects of crocin on inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, NF-κB, TLR-4 and Nrf-2/HO-1 pathways in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

The primary limitation of gentamicin (Gm) treatment is its potential to induce nephrotoxicity, which can restrict both its duration and efficacy. This study aims to investigate the protective effects of Crocin (Cr) against Gm-induced nephrotoxicity and its underlying mechanisms, including inflammation, apoptosis, TLR-4, Nrf-2/HO-1 pathways. 36 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups for the study. Group I received only saline. Groups II and III were administered 25 and 50 mg/kg of crocin, respectively. Group IV was treated with 80 mg/kg of Gm. Groups V and VI received 25 and 50 mg/kg of crocin, respectively, in addition to Gm administration. Crocin demonstrated protective effects on kidney tissue. It down-regulated the genes NF-κB, COX-2, TLR-4, Bax, and Caspase-3, while up-regulating Bcl-2, Nrf-2, and HO-1. In conclusion, these findings hold promise for the prevention of Gm-induced nephrotoxicity through the modulation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.

Apoptotic and antiproliferative effects of Inula viscosa L. water extract in the expression of microRnas on HCT 116 cell line: an in vitro study.

In this study, the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of Inula viscosa L. water extract (IVE) on HCT 116 has been examined, and the change in the expression of miRNAs. Phenolic compounds of IVE were determined as µg/g extract using by HPLC-DAD. Quantitative determination of apoptosis, cell viability, IC50 values and miRNAs of the cells were determined during 24, and 48 hours. IVE contain coumarin, rosmarinic acid and chlorogenic acid. According to the findings of our study, the expression of miR-21 and miR-135a1 was upregulated, and miR-145 was downregulated in HCT 116 cells (Control). Additionally, IVE was found to have significant potential in regulating miRNAs, downregulating miR-21, miR-31 and miR-135a1, and upregulating miR-145 in HCT-116 cells. All these results show that the anticancer effect of IVE via regulating miRNAs' expression has been demonstrated for the first time, and may be candidate biomarkers in colorectal cancer.

Effect of crocin on experimental gastrocnemius muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat.

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury to the lower extremities causes damage to various tissues, notably the limbs. Because research in recent years have demonstrated that saffron and its components are useful in ischemic strokes, the goal of this study was to see whether Crocin (Cr), one of the active constituents in saffron, could protect the gastrocnemius muscle from IR injury. A total number of 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups randomly: control, Cr, IR, and IR + Cr. Xylazine and ketamine were used to anesthetize all of the rats. The left lower limbs of the other two groups were subjected to 2 hr of ischemia and 2 hr of reperfusion with tourniquet, with the exception of the control and Cr groups. Tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1ß, total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were assessed in the blood as well as muscle IL-6, IL1ß, SOD1-2, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) expression. According to the IR group, increases in TAS levels and decreases in TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß levels were substantial in the Cr therapy group. Cr significantly reduced IL-6 and IL-1ß mRNA expression levels in the muscle of the IR group and increased superoxide dismutases 1 (SOD1), SOD2, catalase (CAT), and GPx. Our data showed that Cr protected the gastrocnemius muscle from IR injury in rats and reduced inflammatory markers significantly. These effects of Cr might have been mediated by improved antioxidant enzyme activity, suppression of free radical generation and reduction of oxidative stress.

Effects of Hypericum scabrum L. essential oil on wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to see if the essential oil of Hypericum scabrum L. (H. scabrum L.) has a protective and therapeutic effect on the wound in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: In the study, 63 Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 250-300 g were divided into nine groups, each with seven rats (major groups: control group, diabetes group, and treatment group). For diabetes and treatment groups, streptozotocin (STZ) was given in a single dose of 60 mg/kg/i.p. In 7 days, the animals with diabetes (blood glucose level > 250 mg/dL) will be assigned to wound groups. All of the rats had circular full-thickness incisions in their dorsal skin caused by a 5 mm punch biopsy tool. The rats were slaughtered, blood was obtained, and their forwound tissues were dissected on the 3rd, 10th, and 14th post-wounding days. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), as well as the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in plasma and wound tissues, were all measured. RESULTS: While GSH level, GPx, SOD, and CAT activities were decreased in the plasma and wound tissues, MDA level increased in the diabetic group as compared to the control group. When compared to the diabetes group, GSH level, GPx, SOD, and CAT activities were increased in the H. scabrum L. essential oil treatments, but MDA levels were decreased. In comparison to the other groups, the wounds in the H. scabrum L. essential oil diabetic groups healed better and faster. H. scabrum L. essential oil can help to reduce lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and the associated complications that come with it, as well as play a beneficial role in the treatment of diabetic wounds. CONCLUSION: Since no information was found in the literature search, future work would focus on new research examining H. scabrum L. essential oil applications to come up with new findings in determining the mechanisms of action of H. scabrum L. essential oil in diabetic wounds and preventing wound healing complications in diabetic rats.

Rutin attenuates gentamicin-induced renal damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy in rats.

Gentamicin is commonly used against gram-negative microorganisms. Its therapeutic use is mainly limited by nephrotoxicity. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of rutin on oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The rats were treated with saline intraperitoneally (group I), 150 mg/kg of rutin orally (group II), 80 mg/kg of gentamicin intraperitoneally for 8 d (group III), or 150 mg/kg of rutin plus 80 mg/kg of gentamicin (group IV). The serum urea, creatinine, kidney malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and protein concentration were measured, and renal histopathology analysis and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Rutin pretreatment attenuated nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin by reducing the urea, creatinine, and MDA levels and increasing the SOD, CAT, and GPx activity, and the GSH levels. The rutin also inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cleaved caspase-3 and light chain 3B (LC3B), as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining. The present study demonstrates that rutin exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-autophagic effects and that it attenuates gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.