Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

47-58

Authors: Mohsen Akbaribazm, Nader Goodarzi, Mohsen Rahimi, Leila Naseri, Mozafar Khazaei

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Heracleum persicum L. against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods: Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups including control (normal saline), gentamicin (80 mg/kg/d for 10 d), Heracleum persicum (750 mg/kg/d), and gentamicin (10 d) + Heracleum persicum extract at three different doses (250, 500, and 750 mg/kg/d for 40 d). Urine creatinine, urea, protein, and albumin levels were determined. In addition, serum urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10), glutathione peroxidase activity, total antioxidant capacity, kidney malondialdehyde, stereological parameters, and expressions of apoptosis-related genes (p53, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3) were measured. The LD50 of Heracleum persicum extract was determined based on Lorke’s method. Histopathological evaluation was also performed. Results: In addition to decreased urine protein and albumin, and increased creatinine and urea, co-treatment with gentamicin and Heracleum persicum significantly reduced levels of creatinine and urea, and increased sodium and potassium in serum. Heracleum persicum treatment also improved stereological parameters and serum inflammatory cytokines. There was a significant increase in serum glutathione peroxidase activity and total antioxidant capacity as well as a reduction in malondialdehyde level. Furthermore, treatment with Heracleum persicum extracts downregulated p53, caspase-3, and Bax and upregulated Bcl-2 expressions. In histopathological evaluation, Heracleum persicum extracts showed protection against gentamicin-induced renal damages. Conclusions: Heracleum persicum exhibits protective effects against gentamicin-induced structural and functional renal impairments.

66-73

Authors: Hanan M Al-Yousef, Perwez Alam, Zakia Khanam, Musarat Amina, Wafaa H. B. Hassan

Objective: To investigate the effect of Corchorus olitorius aqueous fraction (COAF) on quorum sensing (QS)-regulated virulence factors and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1). Methods: The preliminary screening of the anti-QS effect of COAF was performed by evaluating the anti-pathogenic activity against Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 biosensor strain. Next, the inhibitory effects of COAF on QS-regulated pyocyanin production, proteolytic and elastolytic activities, swarming motility, and biofilm formation were evaluated in PAO1. Results: The results showed that the treatment of COAF significantly decreased the biofilm biomass, attenuated virulence factors, and inhibited swarming motility of PAO1 without affecting the growth of the bacteria in a dose-dependent manner. COAF at 2 000 μg/mL significantly decreased Las B elastase activity in PAO1 culture, exopolysaccharide production, swarming motility, pyocyanin level, and biomass of PAO1 by 55% (P<0.05), 60% (P<0.01), 61% (P<0.01), 65%(P<0.01) and 73% (P<0.01), respectively. In addition, the production of violacein was decreased by 62% (P<0.01) with the treatment of a high dose of COAF. Conclusions: These findings indicate that COAF can be a potential source of anti-QS agents.

81-88

Authors: Ornanong Tusskorn, Kanoktip Pansuksan, Kwanchayanawish Machana

Objective: To investigate the effects of Borassus flabellifer L. extracts on antioxidant activity, maintenance of cellular redox, and mitochondrial function in cisplatin-induced kidney injury. Methods: The extracts of Borassus flabellifer were obtained from crude male flowers using ethyl acetate and methanol. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and ferric reducing antioxidant power, and total phenolic content was also determined. Cytoprotective activity of ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts was assessed after kidney cells were treated with cisplatin. Oxidative stress was determined by glutathione (GSH) assay, and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changes in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) using 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and JC-10 assays, respectively. Results: Borassus flabellifer methanolic extract exhibited greater antioxidant activity than the ethyl acetate extract. Cytoprotective effect was demonstrated in both extracts, particularly in the ethyl acetate extract. The extracts showed protection against the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin by prevention of the increased GSSG and declined GSH/GSSG ratio. Both extracts also prevented the increase in ROS formation, and loss of ΔΨm. Conclusions: Both Borassus flabellifer extracts show antioxidant activity and cytoprotective effect against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity of NRK-52E cells by preventing oxidative stress and maintenance of GSH redox status. Borassus flabellifer extracts may possess beneficial effects on the prevention of oxidative stress- induced cell injury.