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Sunscreen users have been increased, since excessive sun exposure increased the risk of skin diseases. Benzophenone (BP) and its derivatives are commonly used in sunscreens as UV blocker. Its photosafety is concern for human health. Our study showed the role of type-I and type-II radicals in activation of caspase 3 and phototoxicity of BP under sunlight/UV radiation. BP photodegraded and formed two photoproducts. BP generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) singlet oxygen ((1)O2), superoxide anion (O2˙(-)) and hydroxyl radical (˙OH) through type-I and type-II photodynamic mechanisms. Photocytotoxicity significantly reduced cell viability under sunlight, UVB and UVA. DCF fluorescence confirmed intracellular ROS generation. BP showed single strand DNA breakage, further proved by cyclobutane pyrimidine dimmers (CPDs) formation. Lipid peroxidation and LDH leakage were enhanced by BP. P21 dependent cell cycle study showed sub G1 population which advocates apoptotic cell death, confirmed through AO/EB and annexin V/PI staining. BP decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, death protein released and activated caspase. We proposed cytochrome c regulated caspase 3 dependent apoptosis in HaCaT cell line through down regulation of Bcl2/Bax ratio. Phototoxicity potential of its photoproducts is essential to understand its total environmental fate. Hence, we conclude that BP may replace from cosmetics preparation of topical application., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Benzanthrone (BA) is an important dye intermediate which is used in the manufacturing of several polycyclic vat and disperse dyes in textile industries. Several studies have indicated that the general population is also exposed to BA owing to its release from furnace effluents and automobile exhausts in the environment. In several clinical studies, it has been shown that workers exposed to BA developed itching, burning sensation, erythema and hyperpigmentation of the skin, which could be an outcome of the dysregulated immune response. In this study, we have used female Balb/c mice as a model to study the immuno-inflammatory changes after systemic administration of BA (7.5mg/kgb.w. and 15mg/kgb.w.) for one week. BA exposed animals exhibited the signs of intense systemic inflammation as evident by enhanced DTH response, MPO activity, hyperplastic and dysplastic histopathological organization of spleen and lung tissue. Splenic evaluation revealed enhanced oxidative stress, upregulation of prominent inflammatory markers like iNOS and COX-2 and DNA damage. In coherence with the observed immuno-inflammatory alterations, the levels of several inflammatory and regulatory cytokines (IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-10, IL-4) were significantly enhanced in serum as well as the spleen. In addition, BA administration significantly induced the activation of ERK1/2, p38, JNK MAPKs and their downstream transcription factors AP-1 (c-fos, c-jun), NF-κB and Nrf2 which comprise important mechanistic pathways involved in inflammatory manifestations. These results suggest the immunotoxic nature of the BA and have implications for the risk assessment and management of occupational workers, and even common masses considering its presence as an environmental contaminant., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Cassia occidentalis (CO) seeds on the transcriptional expression patterns of mRNAs in rat liver by microarray analysis. The results indicated that exposure of CO (0.5%) seeds in diet to rats differentially regulated 60 transcripts belonging to various metabolic pathways including, oxidative stress, xenobiotic metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis etc. The expression of AKT1, CAT, SOD1, CYP1A1, CYP2B1, TGF-β, BAX, CREB1, JNK1 and IL-6 were validated by the qRT-PCR. In addition, involvement of oxidative stress was observed due to marked depletion of glutathione, increase in lipid peroxidation and modulation of antioxidant enzymes in hepatic tissue of rats treated with 0.5-2.0% CO in diet. Furthermore, significant decrease in the levels of Phase 1 (EROD, MROD and PROD) and Phase 2 (QR and GST) enzymes following 0.5-2.0% CO exposure indicates the impairment of xenobiotic metabolism and possible accumulation of toxic ingredients of the seeds in liver. Overall, the study predicts the involvement of multiple pathways and related biomolecules in CO induced hepatotoxicity and the data may be useful in formulating strategies for therapeutic interventions of suspected CO poisoning study cases., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A large body of evidence from postmortem brain tissue and genetic analysis in humans and biochemical and pathological studies in animal models (transgenic and toxin) of neurodegeneration suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction is a common pathological mechanism. Mitochondrial dysfunction from oxidative stress, mitochondrial DNA deletions, pathological mutations, altered mitochondrial morphology, and interaction of pathogenic proteins with mitochondria leads to neuronal demise. Therefore, therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage hold great promise in neurodegenerative diseases. This review discusses the potential therapeutic efficacy of creatine, coenzyme Q10, idebenone, synthetic triterpenoids, and mitochondrial targeted antioxidants (MitoQ) and peptides (SS-31) in in vitro studies and in animal models of Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. We have also reviewed the current status of clinical trials of creatine, coenzyme Q10, idebenone, and MitoQ in neurodegenerative disorders. Further, we discuss newly identified therapeutic targets, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ-coactivator and sirtuins, which provide promise for future therapeutic developments in neurodegenerative disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive and chronic neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. The etiology and pathogenesis of PD is still elusive, however, a large body of evidence suggests a prominent role of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and proteosomal dysfunction in the pathogenesis of PD. Due to multifactorial nature of the disease, currently available drug therapy cannot halt / slow down the disease progression, and only provides symptomatic relief. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), a member of nuclear receptor superfamily, regulates development, tissue differentiation, inflammation, mitochondrial function, wound healing, lipid metabolism and glucose metabolism. Recently, several PPAR agonists were shown to exert neuroprotective activity against oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis in several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Similarly, regular intake of PPAR activating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin and ibuprofen was associated with reduced incidence and progression of neurodegenerative disorders in several epidemiological studies. In this article, we review studies relating to the neuroprotective effect of PPAR agonists in in vitro and in vivo models of PD. Similarly, the pharmacological mechanism in neuroprotective actions of PPAR agonists is also reviewed. In conclusion, PPAR agonists exert neuroprotective actions by regulating the expression of a set of genes involved in cell survival processes, and could be a therapeutic target in debilitating neurodegenerative illnesses such as PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of edible oils contaminated with Argemone oil (AO) leads to a clinical condition called “Epidemic dropsy”. Earlier studies have reported that metabolism and oxidative stress primarily contributes to AO toxicity, however, the involvement of immune system has not been assessed so far. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to systematically assess the effect of AO exposure on the function of immune system in Balb/c mice. The repeated exposure of AO for 28 days caused prominent regression of spleen and thymus; severe inflammatory changes in spleen depicted by the loss of distinct follicles, increased megakaryocyte infiltration, and enhanced expression levels of inflammatory markers (iNOS & COX-2). At the functional level, AO exposure significantly abrogated the mixed lymphocyte reaction and mitogen-stimulated lymphoproliferative activity of T and B cells, which is reflective of profound lymphocyte dysfunction upon antigen exposure. In concordance with the loss in functional activity of lymphocytes in AO exposed animals, it was found the AO altered the relative percentage of CD3 + , CD4 + , and CD28  +  T cells. Further, there was a marked decrease in the relative distribution of cells with prominent MHC I and CD1d expression in AO exposed splenocytes. Moreover, reduced levels of immune stimulatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6), and increased levels of immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 were detected in the serum of AO treated mice. Along with T and B cells, AO exposure also affected the phenotype and activation status of macrophages suggesting the inclination towards “alternative activation of macrophages”. Altogether, these functional changes in the immune cells are contributing factors in AO induced immunosuppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]