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Cadmium (Cd) exposure induces kidney damage by mediating oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, the role of Crassocephalum rubens -gold nanoparticles ( C. rubens -AuNPs) in down-regulating kidney injury molecules-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) genes and inhibiting oxidative stress in Cd-induced kidney damage in rats was investigated. Thirty male Wistar rats were distributed randomly into six groups ( n  = 5). Group I served as control, while groups II, III, IV, and V rats were administered with 20 mg/kg b.w. cadmium chloride (CdCl 2 ) for five consecutive days. Groups III, IV, and V rats were treated, 24 h after the last dose of CdCl 2 , with silymarin, 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg C. rubens -AuNPs, respectively, for 14 days. Group VI rats received 10 mg/kg C. rubens -AuNPs only for 14 days. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last dose of the treatment. Biochemical parameters such as kidney function markers, biomarkers of nephrotoxicity, and oxidative stress markers were assayed. Results indicated that 20 mg/kg b.w. CdCl 2 caused kidney damage, as evidenced by significant ( p  < 0.05) increase in the levels of serum urea and creatinine, malondialdehyde, reduced level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and increased mRNA expression of the kidney injury biomarkers (KIM-1 and NGAL genes), when compared with the control. However, these changes were attenuated by both doses of C. rubens -AuNPs when compared with Cd-induced nephrotoxic rats. It can be suggested that C. rubens -AuNPs have the potential to ameliorate kidney damage induced by Cd via oxidative stress inhibition and down-regulation of KIM-1/NGAL genes.

Natural products, such as enzymatic hydrolysates and bioactive peptides from dietary sources, are safe alternatives to synthetic compounds linked to various deleterious effects. The purpose of this study is to determine the in vitro bioactivities (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities) of Garcinia kola seeds enzymatic hydrolysates (GKPHs) at different enzyme (pepsin)-substrate ratios. G. kola protein, isolated by alkaline solubilization and acid precipitation, was hydrolyzed with pepsin at varying enzyme-substrate (E:S) ratios. The antioxidant parameters investigated include 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and ferrous ion (Fe 2+ ) chelating activities. For anti-inflammatory properties, membrane stabilization and protein denaturation activities tests were used. GKPH produced at 1:32 had the highest degree of hydrolysis (66.27 ± 4.21%). All GKPHs had excellent in vitro anti-inflammatory properties. However, only enzymatic hydrolysates produced at 1:16 (E:S) ratio chelated iron (II) and as well had the highest percentage hemolysis inhibition of 84.45 ± 0.007%, percentage protein denaturation inhibition of 53.36 ± 0.01% at maximum concentration and exhibited highest DPPH scavenging activity (87.24 ± 0.10%). The enzymatic hydrolysates had excellent solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties. It could be deduced from this study that pepsin at a ratio of 1:16 of G. kola protein produced the most effective enzymatic hydrolysates in terms of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. G. kola pepsin enzymatic hydrolysates, thus, have potential in development as functional foods and as therapeutics pharmaceutical industries in the management of diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation owing to their excellent functional, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Plants possess compounds serving as reducing agents for green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which is currently considered for biomedical application. Exposure to cadmium (Cd) can affect the functional integrity of the several organs such as kidney and liver. Nymphaea lotus (NL) is known for its several medicinal properties, including its protective role against tissue damages. This study investigated the bioactive compounds in NL using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and ameliorative potential of its biosynthesized AuNPs (NL-AuNPs) against Cd-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The presence of bioactive compounds in N. lotus was investigated by GC-MS in aqueous extract of NL. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous extract of NL. Thirty rats were grouped into six (n = 5). Group 1 served as control, while group 2, 3, 4 and 5 received CdCl 2 (10 mg/kg) orally for five days. Thereafter, groups 3, 4, and 5, respectively, received silymarin (75 mg/kg), 5 and 10 mg/kg NL-AuNPs, orally for 14 days, while group 6 received 10 mg/kg NL-AuNPs only. Rats were sacrificed after treatment, and biochemical parameters and kidney histopathology were evaluated. Bioactive compounds of pharmacological importance identified include pyrogallol, oxacyclohexadecan-2-one, 22-Desoxycarpesterol, 7,22-Ergostadienol, β-sitosterol and Dihydro-β-agarofuran. Cadmium caused nephrotoxicity in rats, as evidenced by significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of kidney function markers (serum urea and creatinine) and inflammatory markers (Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB)) when compared with control. These changes were significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated by the spherically-synthesized NL-AuNPs (25-30 nm) with the 5 mg/kg NL-AuNPs more potent against kidney damage induced by Cd in rats but high doses of NL-AuNPs (≥10 mg/kg) could be suggested toxic. NL possess phytochemicals capable of reducing gold salts to nanoparticle form, and doses up to 5 mg/kg could be considered safe for the treatment of renal damage occasioned by cadmium., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Syringic acid (SACI) is an emerging nutraceutical and antioxidant used in modern Chinese medicine. It has potential neuroprotective, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-angiogenic properties. Methyl cellosolve (MCEL) has been reported to induce tissue inflammation in the testis, kidney, liver, and lung. This study aimed to investigate the effect and probable mechanism of action of SACI on MCEL-induced hepatic and testicular inflammation in male rats. Compared to the control group, administration of MCEL to rats significantly increased the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB in the liver and testis. Additionally, the total mRNA expressions of JAK1 (in the liver only), STAT1, and SOCS1 were significantly increased in both the liver and testis, while testicular JAK1 total mRNA levels were significantly decreased. The expression of PIAS1 protein was significantly higher in the liver and testis. Treatments with SACI at 25 (except liver iNOS), 50, and 75 mg/kg significantly decreased the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB compared to the control group. Furthermore, the total mRNA expressions of JAK1 and SOCS1 in the liver were significantly reduced by all doses of SACI investigated, while the total mRNA levels of liver and testis STAT1 were significantly reduced by 25 and 50 mg/kg of SACI only. In the testis, the mRNA level of SOCS1 was significantly reduced by all doses of SACI compared to MCEL only. Additionally, SACI (at 75 mg/kg) significantly reduced PIAS1 protein expression in the liver, while in the testis, SACI at all investigated doses significantly reduced the expression of PIAS1. In conclusion, SACI demonstrated a hepatic and testicular anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the MCEL-induced activation of the NF-κB and JAK-STAT signaling pathways in rats., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Protein hydrolysates from dietary sources possess many physiological and biological properties. Artocarpus altilis is an evergreen multipurpose plant with many benefits. Therefore, this study evaluates in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of A. altilis protein hydrolysates. Protein was isolated from A. altilis and hydrolysed with pepsin and trypsin separately using different enzyme: substrate ratios (1:8, 1:16, 1:32). Antioxidant properties investigated included Fe 2+ -chelating, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activities. Anti-inflammatory activities were determined using effects on hypotonic solution-induced cell lysis on red blood cell membrane stabilisation and heat-induced protein denaturation. The degree of hydrolysis of trypsin hydrolysate increased with increasing enzyme-substrate ratio, while pepsin hydrolysate decreased as the enzyme-substrate ratio increased. The dominant amino acids in A. altilis protein and hydrolysates were glutamate, aspartate and leucine. Protein hydrolysates obtained from pepsin and trypsin digestion had DPPH scavenging abilities of 43.0 ± 0.01% and 22.2 ± 0.01%, respectively. However, trypsin-hydrolysed protein had a high Fe 2+ -chelating ability, while pepsin-hydrolysed protein had high hydrogen peroxide scavenging ability. Trypsin-hydrolysed protein showed good membrane stability and inhibition of protein denaturation. The results indicated that A. altilis protein hydrolysates possess significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and can further lend support to food industries as functional foods., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Methyl cellosolve (MTC) is an established gonadotoxic and hematotoxic compound that is commonly and universally utilized in herbicide, liquid soap, stain, dye, paint, and brake fluid manufacturing industries as a solvent. Due to its wide range usage, this study therefore investigated the effect of syringic acid (SYAC) on hematological indices, sperm characteristics and morphologies, and markers of tissue damage in MTC administered male Wistar rats. Thirty (30) rats divided into six groups were used. Rats in group 1 served as control, those in group 2 were administered MTC for 30 consecutive days, those in groups 3, 4, and 5 were treated with 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg body weight of SYAC respectively also for 30 consecutive days immediately after each day MTC administrations, while rats in group 6 received 75 mg/kg body weight of SYAC only throughout. Compared with control, administrations of MTC resulted in a significant decrease in spermatozoa count, number of normal and live spermatozoa, Hb count, MCH, MCHC, serum TC, and LH, while number of abnormal spermatozoa, RBC and WBC counts, activities of serum AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, and ADH were significantly increased. Treatments with 25 mg/kg of SYAC significantly reduced the RBC and WBC counts, serum activities of AST, ALT, GGT, and increased TC concentration. Treatments with 50 mg/kg SYAC significantly lowered the number of abnormal spermatozoa, RBC count, activities of serum ALT, AST, LDH, ADH, and increased the number of normal spermatozoa, MCV, MCH, and MCHC, while 75 mg/kg of SYAC significantly decreased the serum activities of AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, ADH, and increased serum TC concentration. Findings from this study have revealed the hepatoprotective effect of SYAC at all doses investigated but did not confer spermatoprotection and hematoprotection against MTC-induced toxicities, and looking at the 3 doses investigated, 50 mg/kg of SYAC yielded the best effect., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Authors.)

In this research, the beneficial roles of aqueous leaf extract of Solanum macrocarpon (SM) on diabetic cardiomyopathy were evaluated. Diabetic rats (induced with alloxan) were given varying doses of SM aqueous leaves extract for 28 days, and the animals were sacrificed. A series of diabetic cardiomyopathy parameters were determined. Diabetic rats showed hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, with a momentous upsurge in lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, cardiac troponin I activities as well as inflammatory markers. Also, diabetic rats demonstrated a substantial decline in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in relation to other groups. Administration of different doses of SM aqueous leaf extract to diabetic rats demonstrated normoglycemia, normolipidemia, reduced the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, cardiac troponin I, and inflammatory levels as well as an increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities. In conclusion, the results suggest that SM aqueous leaf extract ameliorates diabetic cardiomyopathy. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study examined the role of Solanum macrocarpon (SM) aqueous leaf extract in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Results revealed that SM might be useful in ameliorating diabetic cardiomyopathy., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)