Cadmium (Cd) is a hazardous heavy metal extensively employed in manufacturing polyvinyl chloride, batteries, and other industries. Acute lung injury has been directly connected to Cd exposure. ...Agomelatine (AGM), a melatonin analog, is a drug licensed for treating severe depression. This study evaluated the effect of AGM against Cd-induced lung injury in rats. AGM was administered in a dose of 25 mg/kg/day orally, while cadmium chloride (CdCl
2
) was injected intraperitoneally in a dose of 1.2 mg/kg to induce lung injury. Pre-treatment with AGM remarkably ameliorated Cd-induced lung histopathological abrasions. AGM decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, suppressed NDAPH oxidase, and boosted the antioxidants. AGM increased Nrf2, GCLC, HO-1, and TNXRD1 mRNA, as well as HO-1 activity and downregulated Keap1. AGM downregulated Bax and caspase-3 and upregulated Bcl-2, SIRT1, and FOXO3 expression levels in the lung. In conclusion, AGM has a protective effect against Cd-induced lung injury via its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects mediated via regulating Nrf2/HO-1 and SIRT1/FOXO3 signaling.
Streptozotocin (STZ) 60 mg/kg, i.p.-induced diabetes in rat’s results into hyperglycemia, impaired oxidative stress, lipid profile, insulin levels and changes in body weight. Treatment with ...antihyperglycemics and antioxidants are accounted to produce favorable effect in this paradigm. Fustin, a flavonoid derived from Rhus verniciflua, extract of Rhus verniciflua reported to exhibit anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-arthritic effects, anti-obesity effects, antiplatelet effects and anti-cancer effects. However, no evidence is existing on effect of fustin on STZ-induction diabetes. Thus, we evaluated its effects against diabetes in STZ-induced rodents. Blood glucose, Insulin, lipid peroxidation (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activity (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and lipid profile levels was assessed. After 30 days diabetes induction rodents showed a severe increased blood sugar level, MDA, high density lipid and decreased cholestrol, triglyceride, GSH, SOD, CAT, respectively.
Oppositely, treatment with fustin (50–100 mg/kg/p.o., two times daily, 30 days) enhanced blood glucose, lipid profile levels Insulin. Meanwhile, reduced MDA and enhanced GSH, SOD, and CAT in diabetic rats. Glibenclamide 5 mg/kg/p.o. also enhanced diabetes-induced complications and decreased oxidative stress. Further histopathology of pancreas confirms the protective effect fustin in STZ-induction diabetes in animals. In conclusion, the study revealed treatments with fustin avoid the changes in body weight, blood glucose, lipid profile and oxidative stress. As a results of these finding may lead to the growth of a choice of medicine for hyperglycemic in the future.
Commercially pure titanium (Ti) is widely used in bio-implants due to its high corrosion resistance. However, Ti exhibits marginally low mechanical and tribological properties, which limit its ...applications in some orthopedic implants. In this work, the Ti samples were subjected to ultrasonic surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) for various durations to improve their surface properties such as hardness, strength and surface energy. SMAT-induced grain refinement was analyzed using optical, scanning electron and atomic force microscopy techniques. A Vickers hardness test was performed to determine the through-thickness hardness. Mechanical testing was carried out to measure the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and ductility of the specimens. Corrosion tests were performed on a Gamry Potentiostat. The surface energy of SMAT-modified samples was calculated using the Owens–Wendt method. It was observed that SMAT reduced the average grain size from 50 μm to as low as 100 nm. The grain refinement and the corresponding grain boundary density led to a significant improvement in mechanical properties and biocompatibility in terms of increased hardness, yield and tensile strengths, surface energy, corrosion rate and hydrophilicity.
Acrylamide (AA) is a hazardous chemical that is widely used in industrial practices.
Spirulina platensis
(
SP
) is a blue green alga that is rich in bioactive compounds with many medicinal benefits. ...The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of
SP
against AA toxicity in rats. Animals were divided into six groups: Group (1) was normal rats, groups (2) and (3) received
SP
at 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW orally respectively for 21 days, group (4) was administered 20 mg/kg BW AA daily for 14 days, while groups (5) and (6) were given orally
SP
at the same doses of groups (2) and (3), then AA at similar dose of group (4). Rats that received AA alone displayed markedly increased serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), kidney function parameters (urea and creatinine), DNA damage marker (8-OHdG), and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), compared to control rats. Furthermore, tissue analysis revealed marked increases in hepatic, renal, and brain MDA and NO, as well as marked reductions in the antioxidant biomarkers (GSH, GSH-Px, SOD, and CAT) in acrylamide-intoxicated rats. Spirulina ameliorated the alterations in serum biochemical parameters and reduced MDA and NO, as well as improved antioxidant biomarkers in AA-intoxicated rats in a dose-dependent manner. Our results show that
SP
has a powerful protective effect on serum biochemistry and liver, kidney, and brain antioxidant machinery in AA-intoxicated rats.
Rapid and unchecked industrialization and the combustion of fossil fuels have engendered a state of fear in urban settlements. Smog is a visible form of air pollution that arises due to the ...over-emissions of some primary pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrocarbons, SO
, NO, and NO
which further react in the atmosphere and give rise to toxic and carcinogenic secondary smog components. Smog reduces the visibility on roads and results in road accidents and cancellation of flights. Uptake of primary and secondary pollutants of smog is responsible for several deleterious diseases of which respiratory disorders, cardiovascular dysfunction, neurological disorders, and cancer are discussed here. Children and pregnant women are more prone to the hazards of smog. The worsening menace of smog on one hand and occurrence of pandemic i.e., COVID-19 on the other may increase the mortality rate. But the implementation of lockdown during pandemics has favored the atmosphere in some ways, which will be highlighted in the article. On the whole, the focus of this article will be on the dubious relationship between smog and coronavirus.
(mugwort) is a member of the daisy family Asteraceae and is widely propagated in Saudi Arabia.
has historical medical importance in traditional societies. The current study aimed to assess the ...antibacterial and antifungal characteristics of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of
. In addition, the study investigated the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from the
extract.
The ethanolic and aqueous extracts and AgNPs were prepared from the shoots of
. The characteristics of AgNPs were assessed by UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The antibacterial experiments were performed against
,
,
, and
. The fungal species used were
,
,
,
, and
. The antibacterial and antifungal characteristics were evaluated by measuring the diameter of growing organisms in Petri dishes treated with different concentrations of either extracts or AgNPs compared to the untreated controls. Furthermore, TEM imaging was used to investigate any ultrastructure changes in the microbes treated with crude extracts and AgNO
.
The ethanolic and aqueous extracts significantly decreased the growth of
,
, and
(
< 0.001), while
was not affected. Unlike crude extracts, AgNPs had more substantial antibacterial effects against all species. In addition, the mycelial growth of
was reduced by the treatment of both extracts.
mycelial growth was decreased by the aqueous extract, while the growth of
was affected by the ethanolic extract and AgNPs (
< 0.001). None of the treatments affected the growth of
or
. TEM analysis showed cellular ultrastructure changes in the treated
and
compared to the control.
The biosynthesized AgNPs and extracts of
have a potential antimicrobial characteristic against pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains and nullified resistance behavior.
Chitosan/zeolite-A hybrid structure (CS/Z.A) was synthesized and characterized as a multifunctional and environmental adsorbent for the Cd (II) and As (V) ions. The adsorption capacities of CS/ZA for ...Cd (II) and AS (V) are 170 mg/g and 125 mg/g, respectively which are higher values than several adsorbents in literature. The kinetic study demonstrates Pseudo-First-order behavior for the Cd (II) adsorption process and Pseudo-second order for the As (V) uptake reactions. The Cd (II) and As (V) uptake reactions follow the Freundlich equilibrium behavior with heterogeneous and multilayer adsorption properties. The kinetic and equilibrium studies in addition to the Gaussian energy {6.35 kJ/mol Cd (II) and 9.44 kJ/mol As (V)} demonstrate physical properties for the Cd (II) adsorption mechanism and more chemical behavior for the As (V) adsorption mechanism. The thermodynamic study declares exothermic, spontaneous, and favorable adsorption reactions for Cd (II) and As (V) by CS/Z.A composite. The CS/Z.A is of significant capacity for Cd (II) and As (V) ions in the existence of other competitive dissolved anions (PO
4
3−
, NO
3
−
, and SO
4
2−
) and other metals Zn (II), Co (II), and Pb (II). Finally, the CS/Z.A composite is a recyclable product and can be applied in effective Cd (II) and As (V) decontamination processes for five runs.
This study investigated the anti-remodeling and anti-fibrotic and effect of quercetin (QUR) in the remote non-infarcted of rats after myocardial infarction (MI). Rats were divided as control, ...control + QUR, MI, and MI + QUR. MI was introduced to the rats by ligating the eft anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. All treatments were given for 30 days, daily. QUR persevered the LV hemodynamic parameters and prevented remote myocardium damage and fibrosis. Also, QUR supressed the generation of ROS, increased the nuclear levels of Nrf2, and enhanced SOD and GSH levels in the LVs of the control and MI model rats. It also reduced angiotensin II, nuclear level/activity of the nuclear factor NF-κβ p65, and protein expression of TGF-β1, α-SMA, and total/phospho-smad3 in the LVs of both groups. Concomitantly, QUR upregulated LV smad7 and BMP7. In conclusion, QUR prevents MI-induced LV remodeling by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibroticα effects mediated by ROS scavenging, suppressing NF-κβ, and stimulating Nrf-2, Smad7, and BMP7.
Hybrid structure from mesoporous silica (MCM-48) and β-cyclodextrin polymer (β-CD/MCM) was prepared for enhanced remediation of As (V) and Hg (II) ions. The β-CD/MCM showed promising uptake ...affinities for As (V) and Hg (II) ions even in the existence of coexisting anions or metal ions. The maximum capacities are 265.6 mg/g and 207.9 mg/g for the As (V) and Hg (II) ions, respectively. The data followed Pseudo-First order kinetic behavior and Langmuir equilibrium properties declaring homogenous and monolayer adsorption. The values of Gaussian energy (6.45 KJ/mol for As (V) and 3.95 KJ/mol for Hg (II) ions) emphasize the physical nature of their uptake by β-CD/MCM. The thermodynamic studies reflected their adsorption by spontaneous, favorable, and exothermic reactions. Using the β-CD/MCM as a fixed bed in column system achieved total removal percentages of 72.8 % (As (V)) and 60.4 % (Hg (II)) in addition to total adsorbed metals of 879.8 mg (As (V)) and 717.2 mg (Hg (II)) for 8.1 L of polluted water. Therefore, the synthetic β-CD/MCM composite is of promising adsorption properties to be applied in the decontamination of As (V) and Hg (II) ions either in batch studies or fixed bed column studies.
Nanomaterials are extensively applied in various fields such as industry, medicine, and food and drugs due to their unique properties. In this study, gold nanoparticles were biosynthesized using leaf ...extract of Azadirachta indica and chloroauric acid salt. We have determined the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and apoptotic effect of green gold nanoparticles (gGNPs) on human normal (CHANG) and liver cancer (HuH-7) cells. Before exposure to cells, physiochemical characteristic of gGNPs was characterized using a transmission electron microscope and dynamic light scattering. Cytotoxicity of gGNPs was found dose-dependent, as it was confirmed using 2 methods, namely, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and neutral red uptake. The gGNPs provoked intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxide, and reduced total glutathione and mitochondrial membrane potential in CHANG and HuH-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. We have observed that N-acetyl-l-cysteine inhibits the generation of ROS in both cells after exposure to gGNPs. DNA damaging effects of gGNPs were determined by comet assay, and the maximum DNA damage was observed at 700 µg/mL gGNPs for 24 hours. It was observed that HuH-7 cells are slightly more sensitive to gGNPs exposure than CHANG cells. In conclusion, cytotoxicity and apoptosis in CHANG and HuH-7 cells due to gGNPs were mediated through oxidative stress.
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