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Background: Evidence has shown that inflammation and oxidative stress are implicated in the development of a great number of human diseases. Trehalose possesses various biological effects including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, there is little data on the effects of trehalose on human cells including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Here, we aimed to investigate whether trehalose could attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in PBMCs., Methods: The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and RT-PCR were used to assess the levels of inflammatory cytokines. To investigate the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-κB, western blot analysis was utilized. Oxidant-antioxidant markers were assessed using ELISA and colorimetric procedures., Results: The results revealed that trehalose significantly mitigated the effect of LPS on the phosphorylation of JNK and NF-κB-P65 ( p < .00). This mitigation was associated with significantly reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β and increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 ( P < .05). The antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) also showed similar effects on JNK and NF-κB-P65 phosphorylation and inflammatory cytokines ( p < .00). Furthermore, trehalose alleviated oxidative stress in LPS-stimulated PBMCs as it reversed the altered levels of malondialdehyde and total thiols ( p ≤ .05) and restored the activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and manganese superoxide dismutase ( p < .001)., Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that trehalose prevented inflammation and oxidative stress in the LPS-stimulated PBMCs, providing evidence for the benefits of trehalose as a potential therapeutic agent in inflammatory conditions., Abbreviations: LPS: Lipopolysaccharide; NAC: N-Acetyl cysteine; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; IL-6: Interleukin-6; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; SOD: Superoxide dismutase; GPx: Glutathione peroxidase; MDA: Malondialdehyde; MAPK: Mitogen-activated protein kinases; JNK: c-Jun N-terminal kinase; NF-κB: Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells.

Cholestatic liver disease is recognized by extreme collagen formation and deposition, which is mediated by free radicals. The aim of the current study was to investigate the probable hepatoprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of watercress (WC) against oxidative stress and liver injury in bile duct ligation (BDL)- induced cholestatic rats. A total of 32 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups; sham control (SC), BDL, SC + hydroalcoholic extract of WC and BDL + hydroalcoholic extract of WC. WC-treated rats received daily WC 500 mg/kg/day for 10 days. Biochemical tests, hepatic oxidative stress markers, and antioxidant enzymes activity were estimated. Further, liver hydroxyproline content was assayed and histological analysis was made. The BDL model markedly elevated the protein carbonyl (PCO) and hydroxyproline contents and decreased the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Hydroalcoholic extract of WC significantly decreased the surge in liver PCO and hydroxyproline levels and increased the reduced GPx enzyme activity contents in the hepatic tissue. As determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining, BDL considerably induced hepatocyte necrosis. Moreover, these changes were significantly attenuated by the hydroalcoholic extract of WC treatment. Our data indicate that the hydroalcoholic extract of WC extract attenuated liver damage in BDL rats by decreasing the hydroxyproline content and histopathological indexes. Also, it reduced oxidative stress by preventing the hepatic protein oxidation and enhancing the activity of the GPx enzyme via antioxidative effect and free-radical scavenging. Our findings suggest that hydroalcoholic extract of WC could be a beneficial new curative agent for cholestatic liver damage., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background. Cisplatin (Cis) is an anticancer drug; however, it has dose-dependent renal toxicity. The current study aims to investigate the protective effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss. hydroalcoholic extract (Z.M.B), carvacrol, and thymol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods. Forty-two Wistar male rats were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 7). Group I received normal saline; group II received Cis (7 mg/kg. ip); group III received the Z.M.B extract only (500 mg/kg/d, po); group IV received Z.M.B extract (500 mg/kg/d, po) + Cis; group V received carvacrol (50 mg/kg/d, po) + Cis; and group VI received thymol (50 mg/kg/d, po) + Cis. The levels of biochemical markers, oxidative stress parameters, and histopathological staining were determined in serum and renal tissues. Also, the chemical compositions (carvacrol and thymol) of the Z.M.B extract were assayed by HPLC analysis. Result. The results revealed that Z.M.B extract, carvacrol, and thymol markedly decreased the renal index as compared with the Cis-only group. Also, carvacrol and thymol significantly reduced the blood urea nitrogen level as compared with the Cis-only group. Furthermore, Z.M.B extract, carvacrol, and thymol significantly attenuated the Cis-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide metabolite. Additionally, histopathological examination showed that Z.M.B extract, carvacrol, and thymol markedly ameliorated Cis-induced renal tubular necrosis. Conclusion. The results showed renoprotective effects of Z.M.B extract, carvacrol, and thymol in Cis-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Therefore, Z.M.B extract can be considered as a potential candidate for the protection of nephrotoxicity induced by Cis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of current study was to assess the antioxidant and renoprotective effects of Stachys pilifera Benth (S.P.B.) hydroalcoholic extract on nephrotoxicity induced with cisplatin (CP). Adult rats with bodyweight of 180–220 g were divided into five groups (n = 7) treated as follows: group 1, control; group 2, CP; group 3, pretreatment with S.P.B. before CP; group 4, posttreatment with S.P.B. after CP; and, group 5, S.P.B. extract. A single dose of CP (7 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected on the fifth day and hydroalcoholic extract of S.P.B. (500 mg kg–1 day–1) was orally administered. The levels of oxidative stress markers, biochemical tests, and histopathological staining were assayed in serum and renal tissue. Also, the chemical composition of S.P.B. extract was determined by GC‐MS analysis. The main compositions of S.P.B. extract identified by GC‐MS analysis, were hexadeca‐2,6,10,14‐tetraen‐1‐ol, 3,7,11,16‐tetramethyl (24.77%), thymol (14.1%), and linolenic acid (13.4%). In groups treated and pretreated with S.P.B., blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide metabolite in serum as well as malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl content of kidney tissues were significantly decreased in comparison to CP group; in contrast, total thiol group showed a significant increase in treated group as compared to CP group. Furthermore, histological investigation indicated that treatment with S.P.B. improved renal damages induced by CP. The current study showed that S.P.B. hydroalcoholic extract improved the biochemical parameters and kidney function as well as restored antioxidant activity in CP‐induced nephrotoxicity. However, it needs more investigations to define the mechanism of S.P.B. action. Practical applications: In different regions of Iran, Stachys is demonstrated by 34 species, out of which 13 are endemic, one of these endemic species is Stachys pilifera Benth (S.P.B.). The oil of S.P.B. is mainly consisted of cis‐chrysanthenyl acetate, cis‐chrysanthenol, spathulenol, β‐caryophyllene, linalool, and terpinen‐4‐ol. Moreover, phytochemical studies have shown the presence of compounds such as diterpenes, phenylethanoid glycosides, saponins, terpenoides, and flavonoids in Stachys species. The aerial parts of S.P.B. are consumed as herbal tea to treat several disorders, for example, infections, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis in Iranian folk medicine. The aim of current study was to evaluate the antioxidant and protective effects of S.P.B. hydroalcoholic extract on nephrotoxicity induced with cisplatin (CP). The current study showed that S.P.B. hydroalcoholic extract improved the biochemical parameters and kidney function as well as restored antioxidant activity in CP‐induced nephrotoxicity. However, it needs more researches to define the mechanism of S.P.B. action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study was to investigate the antioxidative effect of metformin (MTF) on bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced hepatic disorder and histological damage in rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups including sham control (SC), BDL alone (BDL surgery), MTF1 (BDL surgery and administration of 250 mg/kg of MFM) and MTF2 (BDL surgery and administration of 500 mg/kg of MTF). After BDL, the animals treated with MTF by gavage for 10 days. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, biochemical analysis and oxidative stress markers were assayed to determine histological alterations, liver functions, and oxidant/antioxidant status. Hepatotoxicity was verified by remarkable increase in plasma levels of aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase activity and liver histology 10 days after the BDL surgery. Our finding showed that treatment with MTF markedly reduced plasma alkaline phosphatase and alleviated liver injury indices (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, BDL caused a considerable increase in the protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde content (P ≤ 0.05). However, MTF reduces oxidative stress by constraining the protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation, and increases antioxidant reserve by increasing the ferric reducing ability of plasma and reducing glutathione levels. MTF exerts antioxidative effects in the liver fibrosis and may represent a hepato-protective effect when given to rats with BDL-induced hepatic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Cholestasis is caused by malfunction of the hepatobiliary system. This disorder is the result of the accumulation of bile fatty acids and other toxins in the liver. The aim of the current study was to investigate the antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extract of Origanum majorana L. (OM) on hepatic disorder and tissue damage induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. Materials and methods. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including sham control group received vehicle (SC-V), bile duct ligation received vehicle (BDL-V), bile duct ligation group received OM extract (BDL + OM), and sham control group received OM extract (SC + OM). One day after surgery, the animals received vehicle or methanolic extract of OM 300 mg/kg/day for 7 consecutive days by oral gavage. Finally, the animals were anesthetized and the blood samples were collected from each animal. After sacrificing of animals, liver tissue from each rat was removed and divided into three parts: one part was used for preparing of homogenized tissue, one part was fixed in 10% neutral formalin for histopathology examination, and the third part was kept in liquid nitrogen for gene expression analysis. Biomarkers of oxidative stress in the liver tissue and serum, as well as histopathological changes of the liver, were assessed. Also, the gene expression of IL-1, TNF-α, TGF-β, and α-SMA has been measured. Results. The results showed that BDL-V significantly increased the activity of ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin compared to the SC-V group. The oxidative stress markers such as MDA and FRAP significantly increased due to BDL, while the CAT activity reduced in the BDL-V group compared to SC-V group. Oral treatment with OM reduced ALT and AST activity, although it was not statistically significant. OM treatment considerably increased the activity of CAT compared to BDL group. BDL-V induced a significant histological change in the liver, while treatment with OM at a dose of 300 mg/kg showed a minor effect on histopathological changes. In addition, the mRNA of IL-1, TNF-α, TGF-β, and α-SMA significantly increased in the BDL-V group, while treatment with OM only significantly reduced TGF-β in comparison with BDL-V rats. Conclusions. The results of the present study showed that oral administration of OM extract had a moderate protective effect on cholestasis due to BDL. Indeed, more studies with different doses of extract are needed to confirm this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Increased oxidative stress play an important role in the risk of cardiovascular disease, mortality, and mortality patients undergoing dialysis. Nasturtium officinale (watercress) contains numerous phytochemical compounds that act as an antioxidant by preventing oxidative damage to biomolecules. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the effect of the ethanolic extract of Nasturtium officinale (EENO) on antioxidant and biochemical markers of hemodialysis patients. Methods. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 46 hemodialysis patients were randomly recruited to consume either 500 mg/day EENO (n = 23) or placebo capsule (n = 23) for 4 weeks, at Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Yasuj, Iran, in 2019. Biomarkers of oxidative stress including glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total sulfhydryl protein (T-SH) and biochemical parameters such as BUN, Hb, WBC, PLT, Ca, Ph, K, ALB, TChol, TG, LDL, and HDL were evaluated on days 0 and 28. Results. The serum levels of MDA and BUN significantly decreased after taking EENO supplementation P < 0.001 ; however, SOD activity increased during the same period P < 0.001 . The serum levels of TAC remained constant in the intervention group, while it significantly declined in the placebo group P < 0.09 . The extract also prevented elevation in the serum levels of LDL and TG compared to the placebo group, although it was not statistically significant. Conclusions. The data indicated that the consumption of EENO improved some of the antioxidant parameters and minimizes the change in TG and LDL in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, due to the role of these factors in mortality and morbidity of dialysis patients, EENO can improve the condition of dialysis patients. However, more studies with longer intervention times and different doses of EENO are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a common chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the airways. One of the most devastating consequences of this inflammatory process is the production of reactive oxygen species responsible for oxidative stress. Nasturtium officinale commonly known as watercress has traditionally been applied in Iranian folk medicine to treat respiratory disorders and diseases mainly bronchitis and asthma. In accordance with these ethnopharmacological reports, through our previous in vivo experiment, we have confirmed significant effect of its hydroalcoholic extract in reducing lung inflammation and oxidative stress in an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic rat model. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of N. officinale hydroalcoholic extract (NOE) in patients with asthma, in order to confirm our findings of the previous performed in vivo study. The NOE capsules (500 mg) were treated twice daily for 4 weeks as a supplementary treatment in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial in asthmatics. The primary outcome was Asthma Control Test score. The blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of the study. Then, the level of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured. Treatment with NOE for one month caused a reduction in the levels of MDA, PCO and NO metabolite markers compared to the placebo group. In addition, FRAP levels as an indicator of total antioxidant capacity in the intervention group was significantly increased at the end of the treatment period compared to pre-treatment values. Findings demonstrated that NOE may have a therapeutic effect on asthma by improving oxidative stress. However, more studies are required to support these results. Moreover, bio-assay guided fractionation and isolation approach can be conducted to identify major bioactive compound/s. [Display omitted] • Nasturtium officinale has been well-known in Iranian folk medicine to treat respiratory disorders and ailments. • The efficacy of N. officinale on asthmatic patients was assessed through a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. • The hydroalcoholic extract of N. officinale reduced the levels of inflammatory markers and enhanced antioxidant enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]