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.

Biological attenuation of arsenic and nitrate in a suspended growth denitrifying-sulphidogenic bioreactor and stability check of arsenic-laden biosolids.

Co-occurrence of arsenic and nitrate in groundwater sources at a wide range of concentrations is reported. In this work, performance of suspended growth semi-batch reactor was assessed for co-removal of arsenic and nitrate from simulated groundwater to meet the drinking water standards in the absence of iron. The bioreactor was inoculated with mixed bacterial culture and operated in the absence of oxygen for more than 450 days under varying influent arsenate (200-800 µg/L), nitrate concentrations (50-250 mg/L), and hydraulic retention time of 3-6 days. Complete nitrate removal was observed at all tested concentrations. Arsenic removal was found to meet drinking water standards from initial concentrations and up to 600 µg/L. The extended toxicity characteristic leaching procedure leaching experiments indicated that arsenic-laden biosolids would not constitute a hazardous waste. The arsenic leaching was found to increase with an increase in dissolved oxygen and the final leachate concentrations of arsenic were below 150 µg/L. The leaching experiments suggested maintaining non-alkaline conditions for minimum arsenic release from arsenic biosolids formed under sulphidogenic conditions. This study is the first to report that nitrate and arsenic can be simultaneously removed to meet drinking standards in a suspended growth bioreactor.

Bacterially-assisted recovery of cadmium and nickel as their metal sulfide nanoparticles from spent Ni-Cd battery via hydrometallurgical route.

Soaring demand for technology metals (e.g., Cd, Ni) and its ever-depleting primary resources ask for alternative recovery from secondary sources. Ni-Cd battery is one such source that can abridge the gap between demand and supply of such metals. Biogenic recovery, being environmentally benign, is explored for Cd and Ni recovery to manage the menace of spent Ni-Cd battery. Studies with 20, 40 and 60 mg/L Cd2+ initial concentrations in batch mode (in triplicates) at pH 7.0 ± 0.2, 30 ± 0.5 °C and 120 rpm were conducted using sulfate-reducing bacteria for 10 days. Analysis of extracellular polymeric substance revealed that protein secretion was enhanced, thereby forming Cd-EPS binding. Biosolids were collected and freeze-dried for morphological analysis viz. FESEM/EDX, PXRD and TEM, which revealed the formation of CdS nanoparticles (JCPDS card #00-042-1411) in range of 2-6 nm. Similarly, combined effect with 5, 10 and 20 mg/L Ni2+ at 20 mg/L Cd2+ were also investigated. Furthermore, to test the efficacy for real field application, spent Ni-Cd battery was dismantled and its powder was characterized, digested with concentrated HCl at 70 °C and was fed in batch mode after cooling, wherein nanoparticles of Ni and Cd sulfides were formed that has potential as semi-conducting material.

A practical approach on reuse of drinking water treatment plant residuals for fluoride removal.

The sustainable management of the voluminous waste from drinking water treatment plants has motivated environmental researchers towards several reuse options. Water treatment residues (WTR) are proven adsorbent for remediation of many water- and soil-borne anions (perchlorate, selenium and arsenic), and may be able to remove fluoride from contaminated water. In this study, the sustainable reuse of the freely available waste of the drinking water treatment plants, namely WTR, was explored for their fluoride removal potential to meet drinking water standards. WTR was characterized by specific surface area, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Batch adsorption experiments were conducted as a function of WTR dose, contact time, agitation speed, initial fluoride concentration, initial temperature and water pH to get best adsorption capacity. About 90% fluoride removal (from initial 5.0 mg/L) was observed within 2 h contact time at WTR dose of 28 g/L. Also, WTR effectively removed fluoride in the pH range of 5-8, whereas removal efficiency decreased at pH 9 or higher. The adsorption equilibrium was established within 120-150 min. Adsorption isotherm data were best fit to Langmuir (R 2 = 0.984) and Freundlich models (R 2 = 0.983), while adsorption kinetic study exhibited that second-order kinetic model was followed with rate constant of 0.038 g/mg min. The FT-IR and XRD analyses affirmed that the metal hydroxyl and metal oxide groups contributed to the fluoride removal. The experimental results show the promising potential of WTR as an adsorbent in fluoride removal from real contaminated groundwater.

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.

Bio-attenuation of arsenic and iron coupled with nitrate remediation in multi-oxyanionic system: Batch and column studies.

Co-occurrence of arsenic and iron along with nitrate in groundwater makes the trio an onerous combination both in terms of potability and treatment. To meet drinking water guidelines, batch and column laboratory trials were conducted on simulated and bore-well water for attenuation of arsenic (1000 µg/L), iron (5 mg/L) and nitrate (150 mg/L). Increment in sulphate showed a direct individual impact on iron removal, meeting WHO guidelines. The bio-kinetic parameters were in the range of: µmax = 0.079-0.551/d, Ks = 116.18-645.19 mg/L, Kd = 0.0009-0.0077/d and Y = 0.034-0.094 mg MLVSS/mg COD. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed orpiment precipitation and/or co-precipitation with mackinawite are the key mechanisms for arsenic and iron attenuation. Column experiments were conducted by charging simulated groundwater containing arsenic (500 µg/L), nitrate (50 mg/L), sulphate (25 mg/L) and iron (3 mg/L) in an acetate (105 mg/L as COD) fed flow-through bioreactor at constant empty bed contact time of 60 min. Profile sampling illustrated segregation of different terminal electron accepting zones following thermodynamic yield for sequential removal of different oxyanions. This study showed the importance of considering microbially mediated terminal electron-accepting processes (TEAP) for multi-oxyanion removal in engineered systems.

Effects of backwashing strategy and dissolved oxygen on arsenic removal to meet drinking water standards in a sulfidogenic attached growth reactor.

Efficiency and feasibility of two backwashing methods (water-nitrogen and water-air assisted) on arsenic and its co-pollutants removal were assessed through running a sulfidogenic attached growth reactor (AGR) treating arsenic spiked simulated groundwater for about 600 days. Replacing water with nitrogen assisted backwashing (WNAB) by water with air assisted backwashing (WAAB) introduced dissolved oxygen (DO) as an additional electron acceptor, which required an increased empty bed contact time (EBCT) to retain the entire terminal electron accepting zones (DO, nitrate, arsenate and sulfate) within the reactor. Removal of arsenic to below 10 µg/L required a longer EBCT at higher influent DO in backwash water. Notably, MiSeq sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of diverse bacterial community on biofilm which can utilize multiple terminal electron acceptors present in the bioreactor.

Concurrent removal of nitrate, arsenic and iron from simulated and real-life groundwater to meet drinking water standards: Effects of operational and environmental parameters.

The aim of this work was to study concurrent removal of nitrate, arsenic and iron in an attached growth reactor (AGR) based on bio-sulphidogenesis treating simulated and real-life ground water. A lab-scale bioreactor system was monitored for a period of 511 days under conditions identical to those prevailing at full-scale to assess the relative influence of empty bed contact time (EBCT) (20-90 min), backwash strategies (water-nitrogen and water-air), temperature (20-50 °C), pH (6.6-8.4) and shut down on reactor performance and recovery. Complete removal of nitrate (50 mg/L) and over 95% removal of iron (3 mg/L) occurred. Arsenic removal efficiency was around 99% (500 µg/L) and treated water arsenic concentration was in compliance with the World Health Organization and Indian Standard of 10 µg/L. Port sampling along the depth of bioreactor shows shifting of terminal electron accepting process zones at lower EBCT of 20 min and after air assisted backwashing. The temperature range of 20-50 °C and pH range of 6.6-8.4 were applicable for arsenic removal in natural conditions. Precipitated biosolids were analysed using electron microscopy. Biogenic sulphides resulted in the precipitation of arsenosulphides and iron sulphides, which concurrently removed arsenic and iron. This study suggests that a sulphidogenic bioreactor may help to set the basis for concurrent removal of nitrate, arsenic and iron from real-life groundwater using mixed biofilm bacterial community.

Investigation on stability and leaching characteristics of mixtures of biogenic arsenosulphides and iron sulphides formed under reduced conditions.

Arsenic is removed from aqueous phase through precipitation as arsenosulphides and/or co-precipitation and adsorption on iron sulphides. Studies were carried out to ascertain the stability of reduced biogenic arsenic and iron sulphide precipitates formed in an attached growth reactor (AGR) through a series of experiments based on Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), aging and long term leaching tests. About half of the AGR was initially added with waste activated carbon (WAC) to support the growth of mixed microbial consortia and used for treatment of arsenic and iron contaminated simulated groundwater. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy results indicated that the biosolids were mainly composed of arsenosulphides and iron sulphides. While TCLP and aging tests were conducted in anoxic as well as oxic conditions with the aim to evaluate stability of biomass containing biogenic sulphides, long term leaching test was conducted through supply of aerated distilled water to evaluate the stability of spent WAC as well. Results generated from the research indicate that the concentration of leached arsenic never exceeded 123 µg/L under all conditions tested, thus biosolids not imposing an environmental hazard.

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.

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.

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.