Toxicology International (Formerly Indian Journal of Toxicology)

Veena Sharma , Manu Singh

Abstract

Objectives: Enormous propensity of plants to synthesize a variety of structurally diverse bioactive compounds, has made the plant kingdom a potential source of chemical constituents with various therapeutic values, including antitumor and cytotoxic activities. Blood is a good indicator to determine the physiological and pathological status of man and animal. The objective of the present study is to determine the effect of Operculina turpethum ischolar_main extract and its isolated glycoside treatment on the hematological parameters in the mice with N‑Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) induced cancer. Materials and Methods: The body weights of the animals were recorded before and after the experiment. Non‑coagulated blood was tested for total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, hemoglobin, differential leukocyte count (DLC) and for other blood indices. Results: A significant (P < 0.01), (P < 0.001) recovery of the red blood cell and white blood cell counts, packed cell volume and hemoglobin content in the host after 21 day treatment was shown. Conclusion: These results show that the extract of Operculina turpethum is relatively safe following oral administration and have possible stimulatory effect on red blood cell production and there was dose dependent therapeutic effect.

Keywords

Blood, haematology, N‑Nitrosodimethylamine, Operculina turpethum

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Veena Sharma , Pracheta Janmeda

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of N‑nitrosodiethylamine (DENA), a potent environment carcinogen on liver tissue of mice which was attenuated by isolated flavonoid and hydro‑ethanolic extract of Euphorbia neriifolia (HEEN) leaves. Materials and Methods: Carcinogenicity was induced in albino mice by a single oral administration of DENA (50 mg/kg body weight). The HEEN (150 and 400 mg/kg body weight), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA; 0.5 and 1%) and E. neriifolia flavonoid (ENF; 50 mg/kg body weight) were estimated to examine the possible anti‑cancer potential. Results: DENA exposed animals showed alterations in normal hepatic histo‑architecture, which comprised of necrosis (N), dilated sinusoids and vacuolization of the cells. Mice treated with E. neriifolia lower (ENL) and higher (ENH) dose and ENF before intoxicated with DENA showed that the liver cells were normal, with very little necrosis (Day 31). On the other hand, BHA higher (BHAH) and lower (BHAL) dose failed to diminish the abnormalities caused by the DENA. Conclusion: Results of the present study suggests that the ENH and ENF protects the hepatic tissue against DENA‑induced hepatic carcinoma. The results could also be expressed in the order of ENH> ENF> ENL> BHAH> BHAL.

Keywords

Euphorbia neriifolia, flavonoid, liver, necrosis, N‑nitrosodiethylamine

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Veena Sharma , Pracheta Janmeda

Abstract

Aims: This study is an attempt to evaluate the tissue protective efficacy of isolated flavonoid and hydro‑ethanolic extract of Euphorbia neriifolia (HEEN) leaves against N‑nitrosodiethylamine (DENA) induced renal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Carcinogenicity was induced in Albino mice by oral administration of DENA (50 mg/kg body weight). The HEEN (150 and 400 mg/kg body weight), Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA; 0.5 and 1%), and Euphorbia neriifolia flavonoid (ENF; 50 mg/kg body weight) were evaluated for their possible tissue carcinogenesis protective potential. Results: DENA treated animals showed alterations in normal renal histo‑architecture, which comprised of necrosis (N) and vacuolization of the cells. On the other hand, the mice treated with Euphorbia neriifolia lower (ENL) and higher (ENH) dose and ENF before intoxicated with DENA showed that the renal cells were normal (Day 31). Whereas, BHA higher (BHAH) and lower (BHAL) dose failed to diminish the abnormalities caused by DENA. Conclusions: The findings of the present study Suggested that ENH and ENF showed highest renal-protective activity among all the pretreatments. The results could also be expressed in the order of ENH > ENF > ENL > BHAH > BHAL.

Keywords

Euphorbia neriifolia, flavonoid, kidney, necrosis, N‑nitrosodiethylamine

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Rekha Gupta ¹, Veena Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali University, Banasthali-304022, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

The present study was planned to investigate the ability of the Tinospora cordifolia to scavenge free radicals generated during aflatoxicosis. A total no. of 48 male Swiss albino mice (30 ± 5 g) were exposed to Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) (2 μg/30 g b.wt, orally) either individually or in combination with T. cordifolia (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, orally) once daily for 25 days. AFB₁ exposure led to significant rise in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and fall in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbic acid, and protein content. T. cordifolia was found to show protective effect by lowering down the content of TBARS and enhancing the GSH, ascorbic acid, protein, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes viz., SOD, CAT, glutathione peroxidase, GST, and GR in kidney. Histopathological analysis of kidney samples also confirmed the protective values and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of herb. T. cordifolia showed protection against aflatoxin-induced nephrotoxicity due to the presence of alkaloids such as a choline, tinosporin, isocolumbin, palmatine, tetrahydropalmatine, and magnoflorine.

Keywords

Aflatoxin, antioxidant, mice, oxidative stress, Tinospora cordifolia

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Rashmi Singh ¹, Veena Sharma ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Alpine Group of Management and Technology, Dehradun – 248001, Uttarakhand, IN
2 Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali University, Vanasthali – 304022, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

Isothiocyanate derivative from hydroethanolic extract of Indigofera tinctoria (HEIT) was previously isolated, purified and characterized as 1-[1,2-Diisothiocyanato-2-(3-isothiocyanato-2,2-dimethyl-propylsulfanyl)-ethoxy]-3-isothiocyanato-2,2-dimethyl-propane (C₁₆H₂₂N₄OS₅; m/z 446.70; ITC-1). To elucidate hepatoprotective efficacy, liver toxicity was induced in mice via intoxication of N-Nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) followed by CCl₄ for 50 days. Both low and high doses of crude HEIT were given orally to NPYR treated mice for 21 days. Silymarin was also administered to compare the results. After completion of post treatment, various hepatic toxicity markers were evaluated. Results showed that both doses of HEIT and ITC-1 have successfully normalized the levels of AST, ALT (P<0.001 v/s NPYR treated group), ALP and bilirubin (P<0.01). ITC-1 has showed better remedial response against liver toxicity in comparison to Silymarin. Thus, we concluded that both I. tinctoria and ‘ITC-1’ have future remedial aspect in diminution of hepatic toxicity.

Keywords

AST, Bilirubin, Hepatic Toxicity, Indigofera tinctoria, Isothiocyanate Compounds, Silymarin.

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Kanchan Sharma ¹, Veena Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Vanasthali Road - 304022, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

Allium sativum contain various medicinal properties like immunomodulatory, antitumorigenetic, antiatherosclerotic and antimicrobial. In the present study, we analyzed the impact of hydroethanol extract of Allium sativum on cytokine production in LPS challenged mice. LPS significantly induced the activation of NF-kB and also increased the levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-Y, PGE2 with the suppression of IL-10 production. In the results we found that Allium sativum significantly attenuated the LPS-induced phosphorylation of NF-ĸB and normalized the levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-Y, PGE-2 and IL-10. In summary, it was deduced that garlic may promote an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibition of NF-kB activity in the tissue.

Keywords

Allium sativum, Anti-inflammatory, Cytokines, Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), NF-kB.

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Veena Sharma ¹, Preeti Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali – 304022, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

The present research aimed to elucidate the structure and characterize the isolated compound from stem-bark of Prosopis cineraria and unravel its potential against LPS-induced toxicity in mouse model. The spectral techniques were done for characterization and structure elucidation of the isolated compound (HPLC, NMR, FT-IR, LC-MS. The experimental mice were intoxicated (intra-peritoneal) with LPS (2 mg/kg body weight) and further treated with isolated compound from Prosopis cineraria (15 mg/kg body weight). Dexamethasone was used as a standard (10 mg/kg body weight). The oxidative stress parameters (LPO, CAT, SOD, GSH, GST and GPx) and biochemical activities (AST, ALT, ACP and ALP) were studied. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α; Prostaglandins E2; IL-6; NF-κBp65; IFN-γ and IL-10) were determined in liver homogenate. Nitric Oxide (NO) produced due to LPS-intoxication was determined by using Griess reagent. The results of the spectral analysis were used to elucidate the structure of the isolated flavonoid. The isolated flavonoid suppressed the over-expression and altered levels of oxidative parameters and cytokines due to LPS intoxication and restored the levels of TNF-α, NF-κB, NO, IL-6, IFN- , Prostaglandin E2 and IL-10. The research investigation unfolded the alleviating potential of the isolated compound against LPS-induced adverse effects by modulating the expression of cytokines and combating oxidative stress.

Keywords

Anti-inflammatory, Cytokines, Flavonoids, Oxidative Stress, Prosopis cineraria, ROS

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Richa Shukla ¹, Veena Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Tonk - 304022, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

Contagious infections cause over 17 million human deaths in a year among which diseases caused by bacteria are the most prominent ones. Additionally, in the last few years, the haphazard usage of antibiotics has provoked the condition of multifarious defiance in the bacterial strains against these chemical drugs thus contributing to an upsurge towards severe economic and communal welfare-related uncertainties. Thus, to annihilate such situations there is a compelling demand to explore novel substitutes to overcome these concerns. Hence, such problematic situations bring up the limelight towards plant-derived proteins/peptides possessing antimicrobial activity which prove to be excellent alternatives against bacterial pathogens causing serious maladies in humans. Therefore, in this context the current study investigated the antibacterial potential of the Ethanol, Methanol and Chloroform peptides/protein isolate obtained from pods of Acacia nilotica by Disc-Diffusion Assay and MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) against E. coli and B. subtilis bacterial strains. The antibacterial activity of all three solvent peptide isolates was found to be exhibiting antimicrobial activity at a concentration of 100μg/ml against B. subtilis with Disc-Diffusion as well as MIC with Chloroform isolate displaying the highest activity against gram-positive Bacillus species. Therefore, such plant-derived antibacterial proteins/peptides in the future can be used as a therapeutic drug to combat various severe bacterial maladies thus providing a better alternative than antibiotics both in terms of safety against unwanted secondary effects as well as will also help in bringing down the graphs of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) posing a serious threat to the human health. As a result, the study concludes that peptide isolates obtained from Acacia nilotica pods are effective against gram-positive Bacillus species, making them an important antibacterial compound.

Keywords

Acacia nilotica, Antimicrobial Resistance, Plant-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides.

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