Search

Background and Purpose: In the present work, chitosan is furnished with tin dioxide (CsSnO2) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized using the green route using Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) flower extract. Materials and Methods: These preparation methods are low-cost, easily reproducible, nontoxic, and eco-friendly. X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and photoluminescence (PL) analysis were used to learn more about the CsSnO2 NPs. The antibacterial property of CsSnO2 NPs was assessed by the disc diffusion method against various pathogens. The MTT assay was done to assess the cytotoxicity of CsSnO2 NPs in MCF-7 cells. The expressions of the apoptotic proteins were examined using assay kits. Results: XRD results demonstrated that the formulated CsSnO2 NPs exhibit a tetragonal structure. From the FT-IR spectra, the Sn–O stretching peak was observed at 579 cm–1. A FESEM image shows that the CsSnO2 NPs were formed into a spherical structure. Surface defects, such as tin and oxygen vacancies, are visible in the PL spectra, and the average particle size of CsSnO2 NPs is 32 nm. Thus, surface defects are essential parameters for biocidal properties. The antimicrobial property of CsSnO2 NPs and amoxicillin was investigated against bacteria and human fungal pathogens. CsSnO2 NPs exhibit similar antimicrobial properties as compared to amoxicillin. Also, the dosage of CsSnO2 NPs elevated their antimicrobial activity. The anticancer property of the green-synthesized CsSnO2 NPs against MCF-7 cells was further analyzed to study their ability to cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction, like caspase-3, -8, and -9 activation. Conclusion: The study's outcome revealed that the green synthesized CsSnO2 NPs are an outstanding candidate for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high increase witnessed in type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) globally has increasingly posed a serious threat to global increases in liver cancer with the association between diabetes mellitus type II and the survival rate in liver cancer patients showing unstable findings. An increase in the development and progression of chronic liver disease from diabetes mellitus patients may be connected to cancer of the liver with several links such as Hepatitis B and C virus and heavy consumption of alcohol. The link between T2DM patients and liver cancer is centered on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which could be a serious threat globally if not clinically addressed. Several reports identified metformin treatment as linked to a lower risk of liver cancer prognosis while insulin treatment or sulphonylureas posed a serious threat. Mechanistically, the biological linkage between diabetes type II mellitus and liver cancer are still complex to understand with only the existence of a relationship between NAFLD and high level of energy intake and diabetes mellitus induces hepatic damage, increased liver weight thereby causes multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines that lead to the development of liver cancer. Therefore, this review gives an account of the pathophysiological importance of liver cancer position with T2DM, with the role of NAFLD as an important factor that bridges them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Hyphaene thebaica Mart. (locally known as Doum) is a well-known tropical plant and is traditionally used for the treatment of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) ulcers. The current study aimed to investigate the antioxidative and gastroprotective properties of H. thebaica fruit rind extract against experimentally ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in Sprague–Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: Two experiments were carried out: first, with 20 animals for dose selection and safety of the extract; then, a second with 30 animals for the gastric ulcer model. The two selected doses of H. thebaica extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) and antiulcer drug (omeprazole: 20 mg/kg) were administered through oral gavage for 2 weeks prior to ulcer induction. Acidity, mucus weight, ulcer area, and histopathology were used to assess the gastroprotective effects of H. thebaica extract. The antioxidative properties were assessed using the lipid peroxidation assay, non-protein thiol levels, superoxide dismutase activity, nitric oxide assay, and immunohistochemical staining of mitochondria-regulated apoptosis proteins such as Bax and Bcl-2. Results: In the current study, no in vivo toxicity of H. thebaica extract was observed. In the gastric model, preadministration of H. thebaica resulted in a significant reduction in ulcer area and mucus weight in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, gross and histological findings confirmed the gastroprotective properties of H. thebaica extract. Quantitative assessment of microscopic lesions revealed a significant difference between the groups. These properties were observed to be mediated through the modulation of oxidative stress. H. thebaica modulated the Bcl-2 and Bax proteins and inhibited apoptosis. Conclusion: The gastroprotective properties of H. thebaica nominate it as a potential nutraceutical candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, there are clinical reports on the potential of Catha edulis (khat) to induce muscular toxicity. C. edulis (khat) is an evergreen shrub and a well-known controversial plant due to the content of natural stimulant, cathine and cathinone. Objective: The main objective of the study is to evaluate the possible effect of C. edulis leaves extract to induce rhabdomyolysis in vivo. Materials and Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were grouped and treated with khat extract at two different doses (250 and 500 mg/kg), while atorvastatin was used as positive control for 28 days. Body weight was measured throughout the study period. Overnight urine was collected from each rat at the 28th day for myoglobin (Myo) analysis. Terminal blood samples were collected from sacrificed animals for the measurement of serum biomarkers and clinical chemistry. The standard clinical pathology assays aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and serum creatinine (CR) were monitored. Skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and kidney were collected for histopathological examination. Results: Animals received 250 mg/kg khat extract had shown mild-to-no gait disorders, while at higher dose extract (500 mg/kg) had reduced the body weight of rats with marked increase of gait disorders compared to control. CR, AST, and ALT were elevated in high-dose administration and in rats received ethanol. The tested biomarkers such as heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) 3, Troponin I Type 1 slow skeletal (TNNI1), and Myo were significantly increased in khat high dose and statin treatment, but not in low-dose extract and alcohol. The increase in HFABP and TNN1 results were well reflected in histopathological findings of skeletal myofiber degeneration and in the hemorrhages and pyknosis of nucleus observed in the cardiac muscle. Conclusion: These results provide evidence that khat chewing contributes to the development of muscle toxicity and probable rhabdomyolysis. The current subject thus warrants detailed studies which could emphasize on the cardiac complications and muscular toxicity mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organophosphorus insecticides are well known to induce hepatotoxicity. One among this is chlorpyrifos (CPF), which is an insecticide inducing various toxicities including in liver. Objective: This investigation focused on CPF-induced oxidative damage in rat hepatocytes primary culture and the protective effect of Cactus cladode aqueous extract. Materials and Methods: Hepatocytes were treated with CPF (50, 75, and 150 μM) and cactus aqueous extract. On treatment for 48 h, mortality within these cells was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by H2DCFDA test. Furthermore, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and CYP1A1/2 levels were determined using western blot analysis. Annexin V and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole analysis was run to determine the level of cell death and cytoprotection exerted by CPF and extracts, respectively. Results: The results showed that CPF increases the levels of H2O2 and HSP70 and induces CYP1A1/2 and mortality within these cells. In the other side of this study, the co-treatment of these cells with CPF and Cactus cladode aqueous extract showed a recovery of these parameters. It also has been found that the Cactus cladode aqueous extract has the potential to do cytoprotective effect by preventing necrosis induced by CPF. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggest that the toxicity exerted by CPF in hepatocytes are involved with the generation of ROS and the regulation of well-controlled programmed cell death, which could be well protected by the Cactus cladode extract pretreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]