RESUMEN

Litsea martabanica (Kurz) Hook.f. has traditionally been used as an anti-insecticidal agent and as a medication due to its hepatoprotective properties by highland communities in Thailand. This study examined the mutagenicity, as well as the acute and chronic toxicity, of the L. martabanica water leaf extract in Sprague-Dawley rats. The pharmacognostic evaluation of L. martabanica was performed in this study to ensure its authenticity and purity. Then, the sample was extracted using decoction with water to obtain the crude water extract. The assessment of acute toxicity involved a single oral administration of 5000 mg/kg, whereas the chronic toxicity assessment comprised daily oral doses of 250, 750, and 2250 mg/kg over 270 days. Various physiological and behavioral parameters, as well as body and organ weights, were systematically monitored. The endpoint assessments involved hematological and biochemical analyses plus gross and histopathological assessments of the internal organs. Our results exhibited no mutagenic activation by the L. martabanica water leaf extract in the Ames test, and no acute toxicity was observed. In the chronic toxicity tests, no abnormalities were found in rats receiving the L. martabanica water leaf extract across multiple measures, comprising behavioral, physiological, and hematological indices. Crucially, the histopathological assessment corroborated previous studies, reporting an absence of any tissue abnormalities. The results revealed that the L. martabanica water leaf extract had no adverse effects on rats over 270 days of oral administration. This demonstrates its safety and crucial scientific evidence for informing public policy and enabling its potential future commercial use in both highland and lowland communities.

RESUMEN

Litsea martabanica root's antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity showed promise as a pesticide detoxification agent in our previous study. In addition to its root, leaves can help alleviate pesticide exposure, although there is limited scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. However, the use of roots in several countries, such as Thailand, could contribute to environmental degradation, as highland communities traditionally used leaves instead of roots. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-pesticide potential of water extract from L. martabanica leaves through in vitro and in vivo investigations. In the in vitro study, L. martabanica water extract and its fractions demonstrated antioxidant activity and induced apoptosis in hepatic satellite cells. In the in vivo study, treatment with the leaf extract led to increased AChE activity, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and reduced glutathione in chlorpyrifos-exposed rats. Histopathological examination revealed that chlorpyrifos-treated rats exhibited liver cell damage, while treatment with the water extract of L. martabanica exhibited a protective effect on the liver. In conclusion, L. martabanica water extract exhibited antioxidant activity, enhanced AChE activity, and improved histopathological abnormalities in the liver.

RESUMEN

In Thailand, people in the highland communities whose occupational exposure to pesticides used the root of Litsea martabanica as a detoxifying agent. However, the scientific data to support the traditional use of this plant are insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-pesticide potential of L. martabanica root extract. Antioxidant properties were investigated by 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, superoxide radicals scavenging assay, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total phenolic content determination. In all assays, L. martabanica extracts and their fractions exhibited high antioxidant activities differently. The water extract is traditionally used as a detoxifying agent. Therefore, it was chosen for in vivo experiments. The rats received the extract in a way that mimics the traditional methods of tribal communities followed by chlorpyrifos for 16 days. The results showed that acetylcholinesterase activity decreases in pesticide-exposed rats. Treatment with the extract caused increasing acetylcholinesterase activity in the rats. Therefore, L. martabanica extract may potentially be used as a detoxifying agent, especially for the chlorpyrifos pesticide. The antioxidant properties of L. martabanica may provide a beneficial effect by protecting liver cells from damage caused by free radicals. Histopathology results revealed no liver cell necrosis and showed the regeneration of liver cells in the treatment group. L. martabanica extract did not cause changes in behavior, liver weight, hematological and biochemical profiles of the rats.

Asunto(s)

Antídotos/farmacología , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas/tratamiento farmacológico , Cloropirifos/toxicidad , Insecticidas/toxicidad , Litsea/química , Acetilcolinesterasa/metabolismo , Alanina Transaminasa/metabolismo , Fosfatasa Alcalina/metabolismo , Animales , Antídotos/aislamiento & purificación , Antioxidantes/aislamiento & purificación , Aspartato Aminotransferasas/metabolismo , Benzotiazoles/antagonistas & inhibidores , Benzotiazoles/química , Bilirrubina/metabolismo , Compuestos de Bifenilo/antagonistas & inhibidores , Compuestos de Bifenilo/química , Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas/etiología , Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas/metabolismo , Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas/patología , Cloropirifos/antagonistas & inhibidores , Creatinina/metabolismo , Insecticidas/antagonistas & inhibidores , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/metabolismo , Hígado/patología , Masculino , Fitoterapia/métodos , Picratos/antagonistas & inhibidores , Picratos/química , Extractos Vegetales/química , Raíces de Plantas/química , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Ácidos Sulfónicos/antagonistas & inhibidores , Ácidos Sulfónicos/química

RESUMEN

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Inflammation caused by activated microglia is known to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases, e.g., Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Inhibiting the inflammatory process can be considered a potential strategy for the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases. Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (Leguminosae) has long been used in Thailand, India, China and other tropical countries to treat several diseases including PD. M. pruriens seeds have been found to possess a variety of pharmacological properties including antioxidant and anti-Parkinsonism effects. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of M. pruriens seeds during microglial activation have yet to be reported. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of M. pruriens seed extract and elucidate its underlying mechanism using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BV2 microglial cells were pretreated with various concentrations of M. pruriens seed extract before being stimulated with LPS. The levels of inflammatory mediators were analyzed by Griess assay and enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). The protein expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined by Western blot analysis. The translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was assessed by immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: M. pruriens seed extract significantly inhibited the release of inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. The extract also decreased the protein expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. Moreover, M. pruriens seed extract inhibited the translocation of NF-κB. CONCLUSIONS: M. pruriens seed extract could suppress inflammatory responses in LPS-activated BV2 microglial cells by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings support the use of M. pruriens seeds in traditional and alternative medicine for the treatment of PD and other inflammation-associated diseases.

Asunto(s)

Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Mediadores de Inflamación/metabolismo , Inflamación/prevención & control , Lipopolisacáridos/toxicidad , Microglía/efectos de los fármacos , Mucuna , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Semillas , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/aislamiento & purificación , Línea Celular , Citocinas/metabolismo , Inflamación/inducido químicamente , Inflamación/metabolismo , Ratones , Microglía/metabolismo , Mucuna/química , FN-kappa B/metabolismo , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/aislamiento & purificación , Semillas/química

RESUMEN

Glucosidase II (GluII) plays a major role in regulating post-translation modification of N-linked glycoproteins. We have previously reported that the expression of glucosidase II beta subunit (GluIIß) was significantly increased in lung tumor tissues and its suppression triggers autophagy and/or apoptosis. Here, we investigated the role of GluIIß in cell growth, metastatic potential, and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) signaling activity in lung carcinoma cell lines. CRISPR-CAS9 technology was used to knockout the GluIIß encoding gene (PRKSH) in lung carcinoma cells. GluIIß knockout cells exhibited drastically slower growth rates in comparison to non-target transfected cells, particularly with lower concentrations of fetal bovine serum, indicating impairment of their ability to survive under nutritional deprivation. Cell migration and anchorage-independent growth, the fundamental components of cancer cell metastasis, were significantly decreased in GluIIß knockout cells. Knockout of GluIIß increased the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to cisplatin but reduced their sensitivity to gefitinib. Interestingly, knocking out of GluIIß lowered overall RTK signaling activities to less than half of those in non-target transfected cells, which could represent a novel strategy for blocking multiple RTKs in tumor cells in an effort to improve lung cancer treatment.

Asunto(s)

Neoplasias Pulmonares/metabolismo , Proteínas Tirosina Quinasas Receptoras/metabolismo , alfa-Glucosidasas/genética , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Autofagia/efectos de los fármacos , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/patología , Ciclo Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Cisplatino/farmacología , Receptores ErbB/metabolismo , Humanos , Pulmón/patología , Fosforilación , Inhibidores de Proteínas Quinasas/farmacología , Quinazolinas/farmacología , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Murdannia loriformis (hassk) Rolla Roa et Kammathy, family Commelinaceae, is used by Chinese practitioners as a remedy for cancer in an early stage, and also for treating other diseases including colds, throat infections, pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, flu and inflammation. Although anticancer as well as other pharmacological effects of M. loriformis have been reported, its anti-inflammatory and other activities related to inflammation are still limited. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan- and arachidonic acid-induced paw edema in rats, and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in rats. The analgesic and antipyretic activities were determined by formalin test in mice and yeast-induced hyperthermia in rats, respectively. RESULTS: The ethanol extract of the aerial part of M. loriformis exhibited anti-inflammatory activity on the rat paw edema induced by carrageenan and arachidonic acid. It also showed an inhibitory effect on the granuloma and the transudative formation of the rat implanted with cotton pellets as well as lowered the elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity to normal level. It exerted potent analgesic effect on both the early and late phase of formalin test as well as the antipyretic effect on yeast-induced hyperthermic rats. The oral single high dose of the extract of 5,000 mg/Kg did not produce death or any abnormalities or changes of the internal organs of rats during 14 days of the observed period. CONCLUSION: The results obtained from this study support the use of the plant in traditional medicine for inflammatory ailments.