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Oxidative stress is a consequence of ischemic stroke caused by an imbalance between free radicals and the body's antioxidant defense system. This imbalance primarily affects the liver, which is highly susceptible to oxidative damage. This study investigated the effects of pineapple soup and bromelain on the hepatic antioxidant system in rats subjected to ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Adult male Wistar rats were orally administered pineapple soup (500, 1,000, and 1,500 mg/kg/day) or bromelain (250 mg/kg/day) once daily for two weeks. Ischemic stroke was subsequently induced using the MCAO method. Induction of ischemic stroke increased hepatic levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and lipid peroxidation while decreasing the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG = 0.40±0.09). Activities of hepatic CYP1A2, CYP2B1, and CYP3A4 were also significantly reduced in MCAO rats. Pineapple soup normalized CYP1A2 and CYP2B1 activities, while CYP3A4 activity was markedly higher than in the sham-control. Both pineapple soup and bromelain significantly reduced SOD, CAT, GPX, and lipid peroxidation levels while increasing the GSH/GSSG ratio (0.43±0.06 to 0.56±0.02) and normalizing CYP activities in the liver of rats with ischemic stroke. The effects of pineapple soup were dose-dependent. Therefore, pineapple soup and bromelain show potential for mitigating acute oxidative stress in the liver of rats with MCAO-induced ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin abrasion wounds, especially those infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), pose a risk of developing into severe lesions. MRSA is resistant to typical antibiotics, which necessitate intravenous antibiotic and/or surgical interventions. A Yang-Na (Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb. Ex G. Don) twig extract has been shown to exhibit antibacterial and wound healing properties in mice with MRSA-infected wounds. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of an ointment containing Yang-Na twig extract against MRSA-infected abrasion wounds in mice. Skin abrasion wounds induced on mice were infected with MRSA (n=10) and left untreated or treated daily with an ointment base, tetracycline ointment (160 μg/g), or Yang-Na twig ointments (20 and 40 mg/g) for 9 days, alongside a non-infected control group. MRSA infection significantly compromised skin integrity, as evidenced by weakened skin barrier strength and enhanced transepidermal water loss. The infected wounds showed signs of deterioration and substantial numbers of MRSA colonies, along with mast cell infiltration and increased mRNA expression of inflammatory-related genes (TLR-2, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10). Treatment with Yang-Na twig ointments restored skin integrity and improved wound appearance within a week. Mast cell infiltration and expression of inflammatory-related genes were normalized and no MRSA colonies were observed in the wounds treated with Yang-Na twig ointments. The other treatments did not achieve the same results. These findings highlight the therapeutic effects of the Yang-Na twig ointment as an antibacterial and wound healing remedy with anti-inflammatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Miroestrol Deoxymiroestrol BSEP MRP2 Bile salt export pump ABSTRACT Miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol are highly active phytoestrogens isolated from the tuberous root of Pueraria candollei var. mirifica (Leguminosae). [...]

Garcinia mangostana (GM) pericarp is an herbal medicine in the Thailand National Essential Drug List. GM pericarp and its major active constituent α-mangostin (MGS) exhibit several pharmacological properties, including anti-oxidative activity. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the consequence of prolonged oxidative stress and inflammation in the large intestine and can result in extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) in other organs. This study evaluated the impact of GM pericarp extract and MGS on oxidant-antioxidant status in the kidneys of UC-induced mice. Sixweek- old ICR mice were administered orally GM pericarp extract (40, 200, and 1,000 mg kg-1), MGS (30 mg kg-1), or sulfasalazine (100 mg kg-1) for 7 consecutive days. UC was induced by administering dextran sulfate sodium (40 kDa; 6 g kg-1) on days 4-7. Kidneys were collected to determine the activity and expression of the catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation levels, and glutathione stores. UC induction suppressed expression of Cat, CuZn-Sod, Mn-Sod, and Gpx mRNAs and reduced CAT, SOD, and GPx activities in the kidneys, which was followed by an increase in lipid peroxidation. Total GSH and reduced GSH contents decreased, while oxidized GSSG content increased, reducing the GSH/GSSG ratio in the kidneys. GM and MGS improved the oxidative status of the kidneys similar to sulfasalazine by restoring the expression and activity of the antioxidant enzymes and balancing the glutathione stores. GM and MGS are promising nephroprotective antioxidant treatments and are worthy of development as alternative medicines for renal EIMs of UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hesperidin and myricetin are anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant flavonoids that have beneficial effects in fatty liver disease (FLD), but information regarding their effects on cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes in FLD is limited. Objectives: This study determined the impacts of hesperidin and myricetin on CYP450 profiles in FLD mice. Materials and Methods: Adult female mice were fed a high fat diet (HFD, 60 kcal % fat of total food) with daily intragastrically administered ethanol (0.5 g/kg/day) in combination with either fenofibrate (40 mg/kg/day), hesperidin (50 and 200 mg/kg/day), or myricetin (50 and 200 mg/kg/day) for 60 consecutive days. Liver histomorphology was examined by oil red O staining. Hepatic enzyme activity and mRNA expression of CYP1A2, CYP2E1, CYP3A11, CYP3A13, and CYP4A11 were assessed. Results: HFD-induced hepatocellular damage was prevented by low dose hesperidin and myricetin. Expression of Cyp1a2, Cyp2e1, and Cyp4a11 mRNAs as well as CYP2E1 and CYP3A activities was significantly induced by HFD plus ethanol (HE) while Cyp3a13 expression was slightly increased. Fenofibrate and low dose hesperidin prevented HE-induced Cyp1a2 and Cyp2e1 expression while HE-induced Cyp4a11 expression was prevented by all treatments. The expression of Cyp3a13 was extensively suppressed by high-dose hesperidin and myricetin, and CYP2E1 and CYP3A activities were significantly decreased by all treatments. Conclusion: Alteration of CYP450 profiles by high doses of hesperidin and myricetin could lead to drug interactions. Nevertheless, low dose hesperidin prevented dysregulation of CYP450 expression in FLD and is a promising candidate for FLD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]