98 research outputs found
Evaluation of the Potential Protective Effect of Ellagic Acid against Heavy Metal (Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead) Toxicity in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells
No full textEllagic acid (EA), a polyphenolic constituent of plant origin, has been thoroughly investigated for its hypothesised pharmacological properties among which antioxidant and neuroprotective activities are included. The present study was designed to explore whether EA could attenuate heavy metal (cadmium, mercury, and lead)-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, which were utilized as a model system for brain cells. MTT and LDH assays were performed to examine the viability of the SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to Cd, Hg, and Pb (either individually or in combination with EA) as well as the effects of necrotic cell death, respectively. Furthermore, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein
diacetate (DCFH-DA), a cell-based assay, was performed to determine whether EA could protect SH-SY5Y from heavy metal-induced oxidative stress. Results allowed us to assess the capability of EA to enhance the number of viable SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to heavy metal toxicity. Pre-treatment with EA showed a considerable, concentration-dependent, cytoprotective effect, particularly against Cd2+-induced toxicity. This effect was confirmed through the reduction of LDH release after the simultaneous cell treatment with Cd2+ and EA compared with Cd2+-treated cells. Furthermore, a significant, concentration-dependent decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, induced by H2O2 or heavy metals, was observed in the same model. Overall, the obtained results provide further insight into the protective role of EA against heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress, thus indicating the potential beneficial effects of the consumption of EA-rich foods. However, to confirm its effects, well-designed human randomized controlled trials are needed to fill the existing gap between experimental and clinical research
Bergamot essential oil (BEO) provides cytoprotection in neuronal cells exposed to heavy metals.
No full textBergamot essential oil (BEO) is a rich source of terpenes, flavonoids, carotenes, and coumarins whose proposed physiological activities ranging from anti-inflammatory to antioxidant, from antiproliferative to neuromodulation. The present study was designed to explore whether BEO could attenuate heavy metal (Cd, Hg, and Pb) induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, utilized as a model system for brain cells. MTT, LDH and Calcein assays were used to examine the viability of the SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to heavy metals individually or in combination with BEO, as well as the effects of necrotic cell death, respectively. Furthermore, DCFH-DA assay was performed to determine whether BEO could protect SH-SY5Y from heavy metal-induced oxidative stress. Results allowed us to assess the capability of BEO to enhance the number of viable SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to heavy metal toxicity. Pre-treatment with BEO showed a considerable, concentration-dependent, cytoprotective effect, particularly against Cd induced toxicity. This effect was confirmed by reducing LDH release after the simultaneous cell treatment with Cd and BEO compared with Cd-treated cells. Furthermore, a significant, concentration-dependent decrease in ROS production, induced by H2O2 or heavy metals, was observed in the same model. Overall, the obtained results provide further insight into the protective role of BEO against heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress
Evaluation of the potential cytoprotective effect of Melatonin in comparison with Vitamin E and Trolox against Cd2+-Induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y, HCT 116, and HepG2 cell lines
No full textCadmium (Cd) toxicity poses a significant threat to cellular health, leading to oxidative
stress and cell damage. Antioxidant agents, particularly those of natural origin, have been studied as a potential alternative for mitigating heavy metal toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the cytoprotective effects of the antioxidant melatonin (MLT) in comparison with Vitamin E (VitE) and Trolox against Cd2+-induced cellular toxicity. The MTT assay was employed to assess cell viability in neuronal SH-SY5Y, colorectal HCT 116, and hepatic HepG2 cell lines. The results showed that all three antioxidants offered some level of protection against Cd toxicity, with Vitamin E proving to be the most effective. MLT also demonstrated a substantial cytoprotective effect, especially at the
highest Cd concentration of 30 μM. These findings suggest that MLT, alongside Vit E and Trolox, could be valuable in mitigating the detrimental effects of Cd exposure by reducing the oxidative stress in these cellular models
Bergamot essential oil (BEO) provides cytoprotection in neuronal cells exposed to heavy metals
No full textBergamot essential oil (BEO) is a rich source of terpenes, flavonoids, carotenes, and coumarins whose proposed physiological activities ranging from anti-inflammatory to antioxidant, from antiproliferative to neuromodulation. The present study was designed to explore whether BEO could attenuate heavy metal (Cd, Hg, and Pb) induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, utilized as a model system for brain cells. MTT, LDH and Calcein assays were used to examine the viability of the SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to heavy metals individually or in combination with BEO, as well as the effects of necrotic cell death, respectively. Furthermore, DCFH-DA assay was performed to determine whether BEO could protect SH-SY5Y from heavy metal-induced oxidative stress. Results allowed us to assess the capability of BEO to enhance the number of viable SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to heavy metal toxicity. Pre-treatment with BEO showed a considerable, concentration-dependent, cytoprotective effect, particularly against Cd induced toxicity. This effect was confirmed by reducing LDH release after the simultaneous cell treatment with Cd and BEO compared with Cd-treated cells. Furthermore, a significant, concentration-dependent decrease in ROS production, induced by H2O2 or heavy metals, was observed in the same model. Overall, the obtained results provide further insight into the protective role of BEO against heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress
Phenolic Compounds from Tropea Red Onion as Dietary Agents for Protection against Heavy Metals Toxicity
No full textAbstract: The present study aims to highlight the cell protective effect of Tropea red onion (TRO)
hydroalcoholic extract and some of its components against “non-essential” heavy metals. For this
purpose, the cytoprotective roles of cyanidin, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin against Cd, Hg
and Pb and of TRO extract against Hg and Pb have been investigated, and data are reported here.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed evaluation of the protective effect against
cell damage induced by “non-essential” heavy metals through the simultaneous administration of
cyanidin, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin with CdCl2, HgCl2 or PbCl2 and the TRO extract
against HgCl2 and PbCl2. Present data are also compared with our previous results from the
TRO extract against Cd. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was also determined by the ferric
reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the bovine brain peroxidation assay. Both of the assays
indicated a good antioxidant capacity of the extract. Cell viability and the impact on necrotic cell
death were examined by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)
test and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. After 24 h of exposure, Caco-2 cell viability
decreased by approximately 50% at 0.25 μM for Cd, Hg and Pb and, after 72 h, the ranking order
of “non-essential” heavy metal toxicity on cell viability was PbCl2 > CdCl2 > HgCl2. Cell viability
was assessed by treating the cells with the biomolecules at doses of 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL for 24
and 72 h. The same analysis was carried out on Caco-2 cells treated with combinations of TRO
extract, cyanidin, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, or quercetin and “non-essential” heavy metals. Treatments
with the bioactive metabolites did not significantly improve cell viability. The identical treatment
of Caco-2 cells produced instead LDH release, suggesting a decrease in cell viability. Consistently
with the finding that TRO extract showed a good antioxidant activity, we suggest that its higher
cytotoxicity, compared to that of the individual assayed phytochemicals, may be derived by the
combined antioxidant and chelating properties of all the molecules present in the extract. Therefore,
from all the acquired experimental evidence, it appears that the TRO extract may be a better promising
protective agent against the toxic effect of Cd, Hg and Pb compared to its bioactive metabolites
Exploring the Antibiofilm Effect of Sertraline in Synergy with Cinnamomum verum Essential Oil to Counteract Candida Species
No full textThe emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens, resulting in antimicrobial resistance, continue to compromise our capability to handle commonly occurring infectious diseases. The rapid global spread of multi-drug-resistant pathogens, particularly systemic fungal infections, presents a significant concern, as existing antimicrobial drugs are becoming ineffective against them. In recent decades, there has been a notable increase in systemic fungal infections, primarily caused by Candida species, which are progressively developing resistance to azoles. Moreover, Candida species biofilms are among the most common in clinical settings. In particular, they adhere to biomedical devices, growing as a resilient biofilm capable of withstanding extraordinarily high antifungal concentrations. In recent years, many research programs have concentrated on the development of novel compounds with possible antimicrobial effects to address this issue, and new sources, such as plant-derived antimicrobial compounds, have been thoroughly investigated. Essential oils (EOs), among their numerous pharmacological properties, exhibit antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activities and have been examined at a global scale as the possible origin of novel antimicrobial compounds. A recent work carried out by our research group concerned the synergistic antibacterial activities of commercially available and chemically characterized Cinnamomum verum L. essential oil (C. verum EO) in association with sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor whose repositioning as a non-antibiotic drug has been explored over the years with encouraging results. The aim of this work was to explore the synergistic effects of C. verum EO with sertraline on both planktonic and sessile Candida species cells. Susceptibility testing and testing of the synergism of sertraline and C. verum EO against planktonic and sessile cells were performed using a broth microdilution assay and checkerboard methods. A synergistic effect was evident in both the planktonic cells and mature biofilms, with significant reductions in fungal viability. Indeed, the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was lower than 0.5 for all the associations, thus indicating significant synergism of the associations with the Candida strains examined. Moreover, the concentrations of sertraline able to inhibit Candida spp. strain growth and biofilm formation significantly decreased when it was used in combination with C. verum EO for all the strains considered, with a reduction percentage in the amount of each associated component ranging from 87.5% to 97%
Non-Antibiotic Drug Repositioning as an Alternative Antimicrobial Approach
No full textThe worldwide scenario of antibiotic resistance and the falling number of funds for the development of novel antibiotics have led research efforts toward the study of specific cost-effective strategies aimed at discovering drugs against microbial infections. Among the potential options, drug repositioning, which has already exhibited satisfactory results in other medical fields, came out as the most promising. It consists of finding new uses for previously approved medicines and, over the years, many “repurposed drugs” displayed some encouraging in vitro and in vivo results beyond their initial application. The principal theoretical justification for reusing already existing drugs is that they have known mechanisms of action and manageable side effects. Reuse of old drugs is now considered an interesting approach to overcome the drawbacks of conventional antibiotics. The purpose of this review is to offer the reader a panoramic view of the updated studies concerning the repositioning process of different classes of non-antibiotic drugs in the antimicrobial field. Several research works reported the ability of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidepressants, antipsychotics, and statins to counteract the growth of harmful microorganisms, demonstrating an interesting winning mode to fight infectious diseases caused by antimicrobial resistant bacteria
Carbazole Derivatives as STAT Inhibitors: An Overview
No full textThe carbazole class is made up of heterocyclically structured compounds first isolated from coal tar. Their structural motif is preponderant in different synthetic materials and naturally occurring alkaloids extracted from the taxonomically related higher plants of the genus Murraya, Glycosmis, and Clausena from the Rutaceae family. Concerning the biological activity of these compounds, many research groups have assessed their antiproliferative action of carbazoles on different types of tumoral cells, such as breast, cervical, ovarian, hepatic, oral cavity, and small-cell lung cancer, and underlined their potential effects against psoriasis. One of the principal mechanisms likely involved in these effects is the ability of carbazoles to target the JAK/STATs pathway, considered essential for cell differentiation, proliferation, development, apoptosis, and inflammation. In this review, we report the studies carried out, over the years, useful to synthesize compounds with carbazole moiety designed to target these kinds of kinases
Kontrowersje wokół przyczyn i momentu załamania Fall "Barbarossa"
No full textControversy over causes and the moment of failure Fall “Barbarossa”On June 22nd, 1941 German Army attacked Soviet Union and in this way the operation »Barbarossa« started. A plan of this operation had been prepared for many months and was signed by Hitler on December 18th, 1940. Wehrmacht was meant to defeat Soviet Army in a rapid campaign and reach Archangielsk-Volga line. The operation was never accomplished. Participants of these events, as well as historians and publicists after war, listed many different circumstances of this failure and attempted to find the answer to two key questions: „When?” and „Why?” the plan failed. There were many theories developed until the present day, e.g. snow and freeze which stopped Germans near Moscow in December, mud which paralyzed movement on the front line in the autumn, Hitler’s wrong decision to conquer Ukraine before attacking Moscow, losing plenty of precious time during the Balkan operation. The author of the article compares these contradictory theories, estimates their credibility and tries to find his own explanation of »Barbarossa« operation’s failure.Controversy over causes and the moment of failure Fall “Barbarossa”On June 22nd, 1941 German Army attacked Soviet Union and in this way the operation »Barbarossa« started. A plan of this operation had been prepared for many months and was signed by Hitler on December 18th, 1940. Wehrmacht was meant to defeat Soviet Army in a rapid campaign and reach Archangielsk-Volga line. The operation was never accomplished. Participants of these events, as well as historians and publicists after war, listed many different circumstances of this failure and attempted to find the answer to two key questions: „When?” and „Why?” the plan failed. There were many theories developed until the present day, e.g. snow and freeze which stopped Germans near Moscow in December, mud which paralyzed movement on the front line in the autumn, Hitler’s wrong decision to conquer Ukraine before attacking Moscow, losing plenty of precious time during the Balkan operation. The author of the article compares these contradictory theories, estimates their credibility and tries to find his own explanation of »Barbarossa« operation’s failure
Antifungal Biofilm Inhibitory Effects of Combinations of Diclofenac and Essential Oils
No full textSystemic fungal infections have risen in recent decades and most of them are caused by Candida species, which are becoming increasingly resistant to conventional antifungal drugs. Biofilm production has been considered the most common growth form of Candida cells and is associated with a high level of antifungal resistance. At present, international research reports on the antifungal activity of non-traditional antimicrobial drugs and their potential use against life-threatening resistant fungal infections. Indeed, drug repurposing has led to the consideration of well-known compounds as a last-line therapy. The goal of this work is to evaluate the potential synergistic antifungal biofilm activity of new combinations between diclofenac sodium salt (DSS), a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), with the essential oils (EOs) of Mentha piperita, Pelargonium graveolens, and Melaleuca alternifolia, whose antifungal activity has been well documented over the years. The in vitro antifungal activity of DSS and EOs was determined on different Candida strains. Susceptibility testing and the synergism of DSS and EOs versus biofilm cells was performed by using the broth microdilution assay and checkerboard methods. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (sMIC50) of DSS alone ranged from 1.25 to 2.05 mg/mL for all the strains considered. These values significantly decreased when the drug was used in combination with the EOs. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was lower than 0.5 for almost all the associations, thus indicating a significant synergism, particularly for the DSS-Pelargonium graveolens combination towards the Candida strains examined. These preliminary results show that the combination of the EOs with DSS improves the antifungal activity on all the tested Candida strains, significantly lowering the concentrations of the components used and thus allowing any toxic effects to be overcome
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